Red Cross nurses uniforms. Ration books. Scrap metal drives. Military uniforms. Weapons. Wonderful stories.
All of these will be part of the Western Springs Historical Society’s Water Tower Museum’s new exhibit on Western Springs during various wars, which opens to the public on Memorial Day, May 30th after the ceremony at the Tower Green. Starting with the Civil War, the exhibit will feature a collection of artifacts that show how Western Springs’ residents have been affected during different periods of war.
The exhibit, “We Remember: Western Springs During War,” will include a short photo video featuring oral histories of long-time residents who served in the military or lived in the village during war time and photos from their personal collections.
“The artifacts that we have tell a remarkable story about our past and present resident’s during war times “said Kimberly Knake, WSHS Trustee and exhibit designer. “Many of the artifacts are things we’ve had in our collection for years but have never been on display.”
Knake and her committee of volunteers have researched a variety of Western Springs’ veterans as well as what was happening in the village during various war times.
“We hope we have created an exhibit that honors our veterans and shares a special time in history with our guests, “Knake said. “With the Village celebrating 125 years, it’s fitting that we look back at all of these wars and how they impacted our residents.”
The Water Tower Museum is open on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. until noon and is available to group tours at other times by calling 708-246-9230. The Western Springs Historical Society is an all-volunteer nonprofit that operates the Water Tower Museum, the Ekdahl House and the village’s archives, located at Grand Avenue Community Center, 2nd floor.
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Lyle
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The Western Springs Historical Society and The Children's Theatre of Western Spring present Lyle The Crocodile.