Happy Birthday: Glencoe Historical Society Turns 75

Beginning with a small notice in the Glencoe News in February 1937, the (GHS) has grown from a small group of volunteers who met at the library to today’s larger group of volunteers who administer a campus of two museum buildings and a lovely garden in downtown Glencoe. 

But throughout the years, the mission has not changed. The historical society collects and preserves artifacts, archives and photographs from the history of the Village and aids the community in learning about its heritage. In this 75^th year, the society is celebrating by both looking back at what has been accomplished and forward to presenting more exhibits and programs to help other discover all about our community. 

For the first decades of its existence, the Glencoe Historical Society operated out of the public library, thought the cooperation of head librarians Helen Beckwith and Lotta Stern. Housed in two filing cabinets, the collection was not easily accessible but overflowing with materials from the eager collecting of the library staff. 

In the 1980s, when Glencoe Park District moved its headquarters from Watts Center to the now named (then North School), the district’s trustees generously donated first two and later five rooms for the establishment of a museum and much-needed storage. The space allowed the society to continue to collect materials, now more than simply paper but also three-dimensional items. 

Activities through the 1980s included programs at Watts and the library and a number of house walks and bike hikes viewing sties in the village that are historically or architecturally significant. 

"In the 75 years since its birth, GHS has grown from those few documents in two small filing cabinets to a thriving museum campus center..."

In 2000, a significant donation created a whole new world for the historical society. Sara “Sally” Eklund, a long-time resident of Glencoe, generously donated land and buildings for today’s GHS campus. Sally Eklund played a large role in the GHS of today, providing the garden and the two buildings used today for exhibitions and storage. 

Through the past decade, GHS has renovated the buildings for use as a museum space. And it has been rewarded by awards for excellence exhibit form the Illinois Association of Museums for the past four years. Among those award-winning exhibits are still available for viewing:

• “Images of Glencoe,” an interactive, computer generated photo array
• “The Civil War as Seen Through the Eyes of Glencoe Veterans,” featuring those Glencoe residents who fought for the Union and then came “home” to begin the incorporation of the Village
• “Stop the Presses,” featuring the society’s large collection of newspapers through the ages. 
• “The Glencoe Schools,” GHS’ newest exhibit, is also on display. 

All can be seen during museum hours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and 1-4 p.m. on Sundays or by appointment, call (847) 835-0040. 

In the 75 years since its birth, GHS has grown from those few documents in two small filing cabinets to a thriving museum campus center with award-winning exhibits and an active Research Center open to help residents find out information regarding their homes, their ancestors and the history of the Village. 

Happy Birthday.

Editor's Note: This article was written by the GHS Research Center Staff.