Park Forest Historical Society

11/04/2026

09/25/2026

Read our newsletter about our recent move to the Lower Level of Village Hall. Join us for our Annual Meeting September 27, and Renew your membership or Join to help us save YOUR History. https://conta.cc/3TjcJTf

Email from Park Forest Historical Society Open This Email! Photos and story of our New Home, Museum's 28th Anniversary, Annual Meeting. September 27, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Volume 22 No. 1 | September 2026 A

09/22/2026

Congratulations to the Tall Grass Arts Association on the 70th Anniversary of the Park Forest Art Fair. We always enjoy making connections with visitors to the fair through our information table, and thank them for inviting us each year. We appreciate the efforts of your staff and many volunteers in putting on the fair each year.

09/16/2026

Sunday, September 27, 2:30 p.m. Annual Meeting, News on the move, and 28th Anniversary. Join or renew in September!

Email from Park Forest Historical Society Open This Email! Photos and story of our New Home, Museum's 28th Anniversary, Annual Meeting. September 27, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Volume 22 No. 1 | September 2026 A

09/14/2026

Park Forest Historical Society moved in May 2026 to the Lower Level of Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, Park Forest, IL 60466. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 38, Park Forest, IL 60466.
Currently the phone number listed on our brochures, most of which also have our old address, is out of order due to the storms.
It is difficult for us to receive cell phone calls in the Lower Level. Please contact us via email on the website. For questions on Park Forest History, use the email for the Archivist.
The museum is not re-opened to the public. Archivist, Jane Nicoll, will take questions and answer if she can from materials she can get to. We have upcoming construction so many boxes are still not in place or not unpacked. See the posts with our newsletter to see what we are doing.

09/14/2026

Sunday, September 27, 2:30 p.m. Annual Meeting, News on the move, and 28th Anniversary. Join or renew in September! https://conta.cc/4j7usr0

Email from Park Forest Historical Society Open This Email! Photos and story of our New Home, Museum's 28th Anniversary, Annual Meeting. September 27, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Volume 22 No. 1 | September 2026 A

07/02/2026

This past Saturday, the Park Forest Historical Society was honored to be on hand for two ceremonies hosted by the Birch Street Townhomes Housing Cooperative to honor distinguished former residents Philip Klutznick (one of the main developers of the Village of Park Forest and its "first or second" family to spend the night) and Former Illinois Governor Jim (and Brenda) Edgar.

Two plaques were permanently placed at 2651-53 and 2731 Western Ave., respectively.

The Klutznick family lived (and worked) at this location until their home on Monee Road was completed later on. The Edgars lived here while Jim was an intern in Chicago for the State of Illinois, from July 1969 until the fall of 1970.

The ceremonies were led by the co-op's President of the Board of Directors (and former longtime Mayor of Park Forest) John A. Ostenburg. Also speaking were Park Forest Mayor Joseph A. Woods and U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly. Park Forest Village Trustees Tiffani Graham and John Moore were in attendance, as were several members of the Birch Street Townhomes Co-op Board. The Park Forest Historical Society Board of Directors was represented by President Chris Janota.

It was a great morning to celebrate the history of Park Forest. Thanks to all who coordinated this fine event!

05/05/2026

Just a friendly reminder that we're temporarily closed while we transition to our new home! This includes our Archive Office as well as the 1950s Park Forest House Museum.

Want to volunteer or donate? Visit parkforesthistory.org today to learn more!