The Western Springs Historical Society

Youth Programs

Children’s Program

In addition to the Children's Museum, the Western Springs Historical society offers special programs for young people. Last summer, the Society partnered with the Thomas Ford Library Youth Services department to offer two special programs to young people. Pre-schoolers were taken on an imaginary trip from Chicago to Western Springs on a turn-of-the century train. The librarian read a story and the children completed a train craft. In addition, programs have presented the history of the Water Tower during an activity on the Tower Green. This included leading the group in a story, activities and the construction of a model of the Water Tower as a craft.

Both of these programs are available to your children's organizations. If interested in learning more about a customized presentation, please contact the Historical Society at 246-9230.

Badge Program

The Western Springs Historical Society will work with local Boys and Girl Scouts and Indian Guides and Princesses to develop appropriate and enriching badge experiences. Please contact the Historical Society at 246-9230.

School History Program

The Western Springs Historical Society received a $1250 grant from the Western Springs Foundation for Educational Excellence in May of 2007 to enhance the third grade curriculum on the village's history.

Specifically, the grant will update materials used across the district's third grades during the unit on the village's history and will support teacher efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information. The Western Springs Historical Society (WSHS) will update the curriculum, translate the "Village History" slide show to a computer disk, establish web site resource, and provide interactive classroom materials for each of the seven classrooms. Each year, third graders throughout District 101 also visit the historic Water Tower Museum as part of their unit on local history.

Volunteers from the WS Historical Society have shared their expertise to develop relevant media to support the teacher's efforts.