Community Corner
Orland Park History Museum Unveils 'Life of an Orlander' Exhibit
The Life of an Orlander grand opening exhibit opens Nov. 16 runs 4-8 p.m. at the museum, located at 14415 Beacon Avenue. The event is free.
Travel back to a simpler time and learn about Orland Park’s earliest settlers, dating back to 1834, at Village of Orland Park History Museum’s newest exhibit, Life of an Orlander.
On Thursday, Nov. 16, the museum unveils the exhibit that celebrates the village’s 125th birthday, highlighting the village’s incorporation in 1892.
The Life of an Orlander exhibit opening runs 4-8 p.m. at the museum, located at 14415 Beacon Avenue. The event is free and will feature craft and game tables, and refreshments will be served.
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“Guests will learn how this quiet farming community became incorporated in 1892 with just 300 residents, and today is home is a booming community home to almost 60,000 residents,” said Trustee Kathy Fenton, the village board liaison to the museum. “We will also celebrate the village’s quasquicentennial with a small birthday party.”
The exhibit covers many landmark changes to the village, including the laying of the first road and later a rail stop on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad line that passed through Orland Park en route to Chicago and St. Louis.
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Guests will also learn about the village’s first president, John Humphrey, and his transition from his family’s Orland Park farm to politics and his role as an IL state senator.
“It’s the 125th anniversary, that’s huge,” said museum curator, Sarah Konzen. “My favorite part of the exhibit is showing all of the farm equipment. We will showcase how Orland had dirt roads and wagons and horses, and people walking through mucky roads. From 1830 to 2017 - it’s fascinating. It’s one thing hearing about it, but it’s another to see that transition.”
The exhibit, which runs until March 2018, features artifacts, photographs and documents cataloging the many firsts and changes brought about in over a century.
After the Nov. 16 exhibit debut, the museum is open every Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Admission is free and open to all ages.
Village of Orland Park History Museum opened in April of 2016 and was established to capture, preserve and celebrate the village's treasured past. The museum is housed in the village’s former village hall.
To learn more, contact the museum at (708) 873-1622.
