Have you ever read the poem, “What We Need” engraved on a grey, granite stone located on the Riverwalk?
Did you know that the eight-line poem was once a 22-l...
Above / Find architectural and historic value in preserving the original footprint and exterior of the 1898 Nichols Library, pictured here with Veterans Valor, ...
Above / Since 2006, the Pavilion at Meson Sabika has been a perfect setting for popular fundraising events, including Spring for a Cure. The "Red Tie Event" has...
Above / Independent business such as Naper Auto Works on Mill Street celebrate Irish heritage. Note other local businesses with roots in Ireland such as Casey's...
In 1909, a local pastor, wishing to take advantage of a new wave of local spiritual enthusiasm, traveled to Chicago to confer with area YMCA officials about org...
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable has been recognized as the first permanent settler (1790) and “Founder” of Chicago. Little is known of his birth or early life prio...
The Ordinance of 1787 (a modification of Thomas Jefferson’s Land Ordinance of 1784) is considered one of the most important pieces of legislation enacted by the...
Recently I was asked by the Culinary Historians of Northern Illinois to speak at their first anniversary meeting. Our hosts, John and Deb Lorentson, have beauti...
I recently returned from a “leaf peeping” trip to Vermont. Unlike the many thousands of tourists flocking to New England to view the brilliant colors of the lea...
Last month’s Naperville City Council decision to landmark the Old Nichols Library will long be remembered as one of the most significant victories for grass roo...
This is the story about two Bells. One is a doctor and the other is an architect.
J. A. Bell
Dr. John A. Bell was born in Ohio in 1838 and came to Illino...
To liberally re-purpose a quote from American humorist, Mark Twain, “Reports of my permanent move to Springfield are greatly exaggerated.”
Yes, I will be goi...
Some of my readers may know that I am no longer at Naper Settlement. After nearly thirteen years of processing, indexing, researching, writing, and presenting N...
Hidden objects like old newspapers, bottles, kids’ toys, gloves and shoes have been found in the walls and foundations of homes in Naperville during remodeling ...
Above / Surrounded by folks who helped plan and plant the attractive Pollinator Station with native prairie plants, Mayor Steve Chirico cut a ribbon for the new...
Did you know that Easter Sunday in the Roman Catholic tradition is based on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Vernal (Spring) Equinox? Withou...
UPDATE Nov. 1, 2017 / The longstanding building on the northeast corner of Jefferson at Main soon will change forever. Demolition of the historic structure is n...
Before the rise of school yearbooks, blank books were produced to capture the signatures, memories, thoughts, poems and drawings of classmates. The usually pock...
While giving tours in the George Martin, Caroline Martin Mitchell home Pinecraig at Naper Settlement this past month, a comment concerning the doorknobs was mad...
