Dinner on the Town: Country Fair
Join the Naperville Heritage Society’s annual fundraiser, Dinner on the Town, to be held from 5 to 11PM Thursday, Oct. 1 at Naper Settlement. At this unique gala event with a Country Fair theme, the evening starts off with a cocktail reception complete with martini bar, live auction and spinning of the “Wheel of Dining,” which boasts over 20 local restaurants and dining experiences. Special transportation will whisk you to and from your surprise dinner location. The evening concludes with sweets and a coffee bar. Tickets are $195 per person. Reservations are required.
Flashback Fridays – Meet a Curator
During Flashback Fridays: Meet a Curator, hear Naper Settlement’s curatorial staff talk about their work and see real artifacts from the museum’s collection from 1 to 2:30PM Friday, Oct. 2 at the museum’s Collections Care and Storage Facility, City of Naperville Department of Public Works Buildings, 180 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville, Door F (located at the northwest corner of building). October’s tour features Naperville business memorabilia. Admission is $10; $8 for Settlement-6 members and above. Space is limited to the first 20 registrants. Registration is required.
Oktoberfest
Naper Settlement’s Oktoberfest is an annual autumn event that will be held from 5 to 10PM Friday, Oct. 2 and from noon to 10PM Saturday, Oct. 3. Enjoy traditional German beer and cuisine under a huge heated tent with family-friendly activities on Saturday from noon to 5PM. Enjoy live musical entertainment from German oompah music to classic rock. Tickets are $15 adults and seniors; $10 youth ages 4-12. Save $5 each on advance tickets available online or at the Pre-Emption House Visitor Center. Admission is free for members and children under 4. For information about senior group discounts, call (630) 420-6770.
Headstones in History: A Naperville Cemetery Walk
Learn about 19th century mourning customs and superstitions from Naper Settlement’s Museum Educators during Headstones in History: A Naperville Cemetery Walk that will be held from 2 to 3:15PM Saturday, Oct. 10 beginning at Naper Settlement’s Visitor Center. Then take a walk through the Naperville Cemetery for a glimpse back in time. Learn about some of the early settlers of Naperville, see their headstones and explore the different symbols and meanings used in the creation of these unique artifacts and, in some cases, works of art. For ages teen to adult; reservations are required. Tickets are $10; $8 Settlement-6 members and above.
Getting Down to Business Walking Tour
The architecture and history of business in downtown Naperville will be highlighted during this tour that will be held from 2 to 3:30PM Sunday, Oct. 11. The walk will include stories about early businesses and industries that supported Napervillians and point out little-known features about the downtown area. The tour begins at Naper Settlement’s Visitor Center and includes about 14 blocks of walking. Reservations are required; space is limited to the first 20 registrants. Admission is $12; $10 Settlement-6 members and above.
All Hallows Eve
All Hallows Eve is a one-of-a-kind event that brings to life some of the scariest characters of the past, present and future from 6:30 to 10PM Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17 at Naper Settlement. The entire 12 acres are haunted during two of the darkest nights of the year with otherworldly creatures, eerie entertainment and must-see horrors. Not recommended for children under 8 years old. Admission is $15 per person. Admission is free for members.
History Speaks Lecture Series: Grimm’s Grimmest
The History Speaks Lecture Series: Grimm’s Grimmest will be held from 7 to 8PM Sunday, Oct. 18 at Naper Settlement’s Century Memorial Chapel. Listen to the 19th century tales of the Brothers Grimm as originally intended for adults, transformed through the 21st century intellects and interpretations of storyteller Judith Heineman and performance lecturist Dan Marcotte. For teens through adults, day of event tickets are $7 adults, $6 youth 4-12, students and Settlement-6 members and above. Advance tickets save $1 each.
History comes to life at Naper Settlement, Chicagoland’s outdoor history museum, located at 523 S. Webster St. in Naperville. Visit www.napersettlement.museum or call (630) 420-6010 for tickets and info.