Sweet Home Chicago Exhibit Unwraps Chicago's Candy-making History

You know the North Side, South Side, and West Side, now take a nostalgic look at the Sweeter Side of Chicago!

Chicago has been called America's candy capital since the late 1800s, and for much of its history, a third of all candies made in the United States were made here. Iconic candy names like Snickers, Butterfingers, Wrigley, Tootsie Rolls, Lemonheads, Cracker Jack – and many more – have all been produced in the Chicago area over the last century.

Sweet Home Chicago: The History of America’s Candy Capital is the latest exhibit on display in the Library's Franklin Gallery on the 3rd Floor. The sweetest exhibit ever was created by the Elmhurst History Museum in collaboration with Leslie Goddard, author of Chicago’s Sweet Candy History (Arcadia). This exhibit chronicles Chicago's candy crafting legacy in an engaging, interactive exhibit for all ages.

Some of the special features visitors will encounter in the Sweet Home Chicago exhibit include:

• Many interactive displays featuring interesting photographs, candy fun facts, and unique artifacts;

• Clever advertisements used by early candy makers to sell their wares;

• An original documentary narrated by Bill Kurtis called “Candyland USA.”

Sweet Home Chicago will be on display from March 1 through May 31. Open to the public and free admission. For more information, visit www.nileslibrary.org/candy or call 847-663-1234.

Niles Public Library District is located at 6960 W. Oakton St. at the northeast corner of the Oakton and Waukegan intersection. Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 9 pm, Friday, 9 am – 7 pm, Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 1 – 5 pm.