Grayslake Historical Society Leader Honored Downstate

GRAYSLAKE, IL — A longtime leader of the Grayslake Historical Society received a lifetime achievement award Friday, May 3 from the Illinois State Historical Society. According to The Daily Herald, Charlotte Renehan, 85, was given the award during the Illinois State Historical Society's best-of-the-year meeting in Petersburg. Renehan was one of the volunteers working to save any documents and artifacts they could when floodwaters got into the basement of the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum in July 2017, while other historical items ended up damaged or destroyed, according to the news report.

Renehan received the award for her time and effort after the flood, and for her four decades spent preserving history in Grayslake and other places. According to The Daily Herald, Renehan started the popular Grayslake cemetery walk tours more than two decades ago, and has written three award-winning books.

"She was right there trying to save files and history in Grayslake that would have been lost," William Furry, executive director of the Illinois State Historical Society, said, according to The Daily Herald.

Renehan said she was pleased by the state honor, and according to The Daily Herald, also said "the award would not have happened without the wonderful volunteers that have supported the historical society."