A New MG History Museum Exhibit Opens in May

The Morton Grove Historical Society and Museum are pleased to share a look into our collections and sharing a variety of items that children and adults collected in Morton Grove over the decades at a new exhibit opening next month.

Defined as "a person who collects books, paintings, stamps, shells, etc., especially as a hobby – a “collector” can be anyone who enjoys seeking out, assembling, displaying and researching items they are passionate about owning. Included in the exhibit will be an assembly of items in the archives that were selected as they represent a dozen major areas of the many available to collect, along with having a connection to Morton Grove that include the following:

MATCH BOOK COVERS, GREETING CARDS & VALENTINES, BOOKS & LEDGERS

POSTCARDS & PHOTOGRAPHS, AUTOGRAPHS, TOYS, HATS, ARROWHEADS

COINS/MEDALS/TOKENS, TEA CUPS, COMIC BOOKS, STAMPS

Why collect stuff at all? While many people still collect something, what is collected and by who has changed significantly over the years. Artwork, cars, jewelry, wine, sports memorabilia and other big- ticket items are at the top of the collecting pyramid. Our exhibit features the type of items that people in Morton Grove collected over the years from the earliest days of the village up to today.

Reasons why and what people collect varies today. Some express loyalty to a sport or team seeking helmets, balls, bats, cards and autographs. Some find a special connection to items relating to a period of history they are interested in owning a piece of like autographs, coins, stamps, movie memorabilia. Others want to remember a place or a time in their past by finding postcards, greeting cards, matchbooks and toys.

Collecting starts early for many, just think of all the stuff you had as a kid in a box under your bed. While some leave these items for their parents to dispose of or store in the basement, others continue the search into adolescence and adulthood.

Perhaps coins, stamps, dolls, trains, action figure, sports cards started many on the road to collecting. But later on, collectors often graduate to a specific area or multiple collections. Did you know that celebrities are like many of us when collecting items too? Here’s a list of some famous people and what they are seeking to add to their collections…

Nick Cage-comic books, Leonardo DiCaprio-toys, Kelsey Grammer-first edition books

Tom Hanks – typewriters, Nicole Kidman-coins, Jay Leno – cars

Shaquilee O’Neal-Superman logo items, Rod Steward-model trains

Kiefer Sutherland-guitars, Quentin Tarantino-board games,

Reese Witherspoon – antique linens, Jay Z-watches

Collecting in most cases isn’t about the money, although many items can get expensive to acquire. The true motivation is more emotional. The “thrill of the hunt”, preserving childhood memories, or simply a desire to own a piece of history or just something interesting is what fuels most lifelong quests. There is often a social element involved. Collectors will seek out other collectors to share information, the latest acquisition, offer information and advice, and simply to enjoy time others who enjoy what they do. Many parents pass along their love of collecting to their children.

What’s the difference between collecting and hoarding is a question that has also been asked by many friends and family of those who are out there looking to add more items to their shelves and cabinets. Sometimes there is very little difference. Those who buy things just to resell are more sellers than collectors. Just accumulating stuff without a desire to become educated about the items or put them out for display leans towards hoarding too.

Open from May through July, at the John & Mary Helen Slater Education Center at 6148 Dempster Street (in Harrer Park). The exhibit can be seen starting in May on weekdays from 10 am to 1pm and weekends as follows: Sundays 12 noon -2 pm (May 6 thru June 3) and Saturdays 9am to 1pm starting June 9 (or by appointment) until the exhibit closes to get ready for “Farming Morton Grove” which will open in the summer during the Morton Grove Farmers' Market.

Come visit the museum and you too might get interested in collecting something (or better understand a friend or family member who does). To reach the Morton Grove Historical Society and Museum to see this exhibit, ask questions about Morton Grove’s history or donate items, call 847-965-0203 or email MGhistoryoffice@gmail.com (or Facebook at www.facebook.com/mortongrovehistoricalmuseum/).