Founders Day weeklong series of events celebrate Downers Grove history

The Downers Grove Historical Society in partnership with the Downers Grove Museum has planned a week’s worth of entertainment and family-friendly educational events during this year’s 2023 Founders Day Celebrations. Whether you enjoy local history, golf, biking or walking, there is something for everyone. The event series takes place April 29th – May 6th and thanks to numerous sponsoring organizations, most are free.

On April 29th, enjoy ‘Farm to Table: Heirloom Gardening’ at the DG Museum from

1am-2:30pm. You can also play in the ‘Pine Hollow Golf Tournament’ starting at 11am at the historic Belmont Golf Club. Then at 3:30pm the same day, the recently renamed Belmont Golf Club will be honored as the ‘2023 Historic Site of the Year’.

Celebrate the historic Tivoli Theatre and its owners on Tuesday, May 2, at 6pm at the Tivoli Theatre. Owners Willis and Shirley Johnson will be honored as the ‘2023 Downers Grove Historical Society Historians of the Year’ followed by the premiere screening of ‘History Happens Here: The Tivoli Theatre”, a documentary about the Johnson family. Tickets are free for DG Historical Society Members ($5 for non-members). Refreshments will be available for purchase.

On Wednesday May 3rd at 6:30 pm learn about creating a sustainable life when the DG Public Library hosts local homesteaders who will discuss ‘Homesteading in the Burbs’. Stop by Alter Brewing on Thursday May 4th at 6:30pm to attend ‘Our Precious Grove’ for a chance to learn strategies to protect our oak trees, presented by Friends of the Edwards House and Pierce Downer Heritage Alliance.

On Founders Day - May 6th - the Historical Society will be honoring Abigail Root as the ‘2023 Founder of the Year’ at a graveside ceremony at 11:30am in the Main Street Cemetery. Abigail was one of the early pioneer wives and mothers who helped carve out the community of Downers Grove. She was a farmer in her own right as she tended the farm during her husband’s absence during the Civil War and after his death. She also will be honored by the DAR as a daughter of a Revolutionary War soldier as Abigail’s father fought for American independence in the Revolutionary War.

There’s a lot more happening on Saturday, May 6th! Join the ‘Lyman Woods Wildflower Walk’ at Lyman Woods for a hike in Lyman Woods or get moving with the Windy City Walkers for ‘Walk the Grove’ a Self-Guided 5K or 10K Walk starting at the Museum at 9:00 am. Or if you would rather bike, just show up at 9:30am at Fishel Park for the ‘Family Bike Ride’. Both the walks and the bike ride will go past historic sites in Downers Grove and finish at the Main Street Cemetery in time to honor Abigail Root at 11:30am.

Rounding out the activities on May 6th, the Downers Grove Museum will host ‘Country in the Park’ on the museum campus from 12-3pm. Enjoy the popular petting zoo, educational booths, live Civil War era music and historic children’s games. All three Museum campus buildings will be open that day.

More information about these events and registration details can be found at www.DGHistory.org.