Celebrating 150 Years of the Evergreen Park Public Schools

In 1875, Evergreen Park was a very rural area which had only been settled less than forty years earlier. The village was as yet unincorporated, yet the area was growing with families of farmers and tradesmen.

The rural community was determined that its children should receive the education that had been denied their parents. Thus, the very first school in Evergreen Park was built on the site of the present location of Central Middle School at 95th Street and Spaulding Avenue.

The Evergreen Park Historical Commission will honor the 150th birthday of the school with a special exhibit in their Museum, located at the Evergreen Park Senior Center, at 9547 S. Homan Avenue.

The exhibit week begins on Monday, September 8, with the following hours:
Monday, September 8, 12:00pm-8:00pm
Tuesday, September 9, 10:00am-3:00pm
Wednesday, September 10, 12:00pm-8:00pm
Thursday, September 11, 10:00am-3:00pm
Friday, September 12, 10:00am-3:00pm
Saturday, September 13, 12:00pm-8:00pm

The original school building from 1875 was a two-story red brick structure with four rooms that faced 95th Street at Spaulding Avenue and employed only one teacher. In this modest structure lay the foundation for School District 124. Since Evergreen Park was then a farming community, the students were needed in the fields. Often, the absentee list showed that a pupil had left school to “work in the garden” or to “work with cows”. If the teacher was ill, school was dismissed!

One of the highlights of this exhibit will be a playhouse-sized replica of the original school building. Children and students are invited to “go to school” by passing through the miniature front door.

They can also take their photo alongside the playhouse structure.

Ladies are invited to wear a “Schoolmarm” outfit (provided by the Historical Commission) and have their photo taken as well. They can also ring the (silent) bell to call the kids to class!

The Evergreen Park Historical Commission was founded by the Village Administration in 2003 and enjoyed a very successful exhibit in 2018 to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Evergreen’s incorporation.

“We are very excited to bring the story of the first school to the community,” said George Peso, Chairman of the Historical Commission. “We have been working with the schools and have already arranged for many classes to come to this exhibit for a special field trip.”

The staggered hours during the exhibit week allow for families to visit during the early evening. A special Evergreen Park history coloring book will be available as well.

More information on the exhibit can be found by calling (708) 229-3365, or by email to ephistoricalmuseum@gmail.com.