Library Exhibit Examines Local Heritage

Whether they came through the bustling gates of Ellis Island in New York, or served with distinction in the armed forces, all of our ancestors had a story to tell.  Though it may be difficult to imagine their lives, dominated by back-breaking labor and the ever-present threat of serious illness, they remain an important link to our past.

Discovering Your Past: Preserving Family History, a comprehensive look at our communal story, will be featured on the second floor of the Oak Lawn Public Library until early next year.  Addressing not only the stories behind some of the village’s early families, the exhibit also features strategies to help residents properly care for priceless heirlooms and relics.

Some of the names mounted on the walls of the Local History room may sound familiar: , Aulwrum, and Chamberlain.  Timelines of their contributions to the community are highlighted, along with numerous items related to the story of Oak Lawn.

The Simpson family’s story dated back to 1842, when patriarch John began purchasing land just south of a frontier city named Chicago.  During the 1860’s, he donated several acres of property to the village, which would eventually become the location of Oak Lawn’s first schoolhouse.  After amassing a small fortune from land speculation, he moved into a spacious home at Central Avenue and Southwest Highway (today the Homestead Barr House).  John’s most significant contribution came in the 1870’s, when he gathered with local businessmen and successfully brought the Wabash Railroad to the town.  A previous farming community, the Iron Horse quickly brought in hundreds of new residents.

In addition to similar family histories, the library’s display cases are packed with all manner of donated objects that give us a glimpse of life in early Oak Lawn.

An electric bell, taken from Cooke Avenue School, where taught, harkens back to the day when chalk was the preferred writing implement.  A miniscule billy club and badge from the 1940s gives a sense of how simple peacekeeping must have been 70 years ago.  And an entry from ledger shows that he paid a mere $72 in taxes on his 230 acres of land in 1891.

Perusing through these relics might remind us of that unique item that may still be buried in our garage or closet. How do you go about storing and caring for a physical piece of your family’s past? The Local History exhibit offers some helpful hints for extending the life of your heirlooms. 

Photographs:

Begin by purchasing a durable plastic container and plastic sleeves to protect each picture. Avoid any direct sunlight, as the heat may cause the emulsion of two photos to stick together. To prevent the curling and bending of edges, store them as flat as possible and handle only when necessary. Oils and moisture from your hands will gradually deteriorate the chemicals on the prints, tarnishing the images.

Vintage Clothing:

Saving your great-grandmother’s wedding gown, or your uncle’s uniform from the war presents an interesting challenge. While images of trunks filled to capacity with moth-eaten dresses might enter your mind, there are easy steps to prevent this damage. Neatly folding and wrapping the garment in tissue paper will allow air to circulate. When storing, avoid basements and crawlspaces, as excessive dryness and heat can cause delicate material to disintegrate over time.

For more conservation tips and to see the complete exhibit, visit the Local History room of the Oak Lawn Public Library.  Discovering the Past: Preserving Family Heritage will be on display until early next year.