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Latest News

Who are those people in the March newsletter? WHS board members
This photograph of the Board of Directors was taken at the 5th anniversary of the Waukegan Historical Society.

Waukegan Historical Society 2008 Metro History Fair Award

The Waukegan Historical Society Metro History Fair Award is based on excellence in the study, research, and presentation of projects focusing on the history of Waukegan, Illinois. The award is given to honor the memory of Dr. James W. Dorsey and is eligible to all Waukegan High School Juniors. Mike Berrie, Josh Bill, and Paul Friedrich of the Social Studies Department at Waukegan Hight School are in charge of the Chicago Metro History Fair process.

The projects were judged by Waukegan Historical Society representatives as well as Waukegan High School Social Studies teachers. The $500 award will be formally presented during the Waukegan High School Awards Night.

This year’s winner of the Waukegan Historical Society 2008 Metro History Fair Award: Christina Colver and Luke Braden, Otto Graham.

Honorable mention:Maria Sostre, Ricardo Alvarez, Lori Magana, Francesca DeLeon, Sister Cities of Waukegan and Taylor Netherton, Staben House and Staben Center.

Museum Supervisor’s Report for March 2008

The Waukegan Historical Society Board of Directors recently voted to change the name of the museum to the Waukegan History Museum and we will be gradually phasing out the old name “Haines Museum.” The name was changed to increase the community’s recognition of the museum with the hopes of sparking new interest with visitors, tours, and programs. The focus of the museum is also undergoing changes that will help reflect the name change. The rich history of Waukegan is going to be more prevalent throughout the museum in future exhibits and in museum interpretation.

Two new exhibits will be installed in the museum in the next couple of months. The first exhibit titled 40th Anniversary of the Waukegan Historical Society, will give the history of the society and show the accomplishments that have been made over the last 40 years. The second exhibit will focus on Waukegan’s sesquicentennial and how the Waukegan Historical Society has played an integral part in the preservation of the city’s history. This exhibit will showcase the society’s collections and treasures. Please remember that when you are doing your spring cleaning to keep the historical society in mind when you come across items of historical significance and importance. If you have a question on whether or not the historical society would be interested in acquiring your donation, please do not hesitate to call the museum.

Lilac Cottage Gets Historic Marker

Lilac Cottage in Bowen Park has received an Historic Marker from the Historical Society to recognize its special place in the history of Waukegan. Built by Louise deKoven Bowen for herself and Jane Addams to use during the years of the Bowen Country Club, Lilac Cottage is now used by the Waukegan Park District for events such as wedding receptions, parties, children’s activities, meetings, and classes. It also houses the society’s Raymond Library. Claudia Freeman accepted the plaque on behalf of the Park District. You will probably notice that our Historic Markers are beginning to show up all over Waukegan denoting properties of notable architectural significance or historic importance. They make a great gift or addition to your beautiful historic home.

Newsletters

Download the quarterly newsletter (pdf format):
2007:
March 2008
December 2007
September 2007
June 2007
March 2007
2006:
December 2006
September 2006
June 2006
March 2006
2005:
December 2005
September 2005
June 2005
March 2005
2004:
December 2004
September 2004
June 2004
March 2004