Serving On All Fronts: Winnetka and World War II
Join us this Sunday for a Red Cross Canteen! We’ll re-create a canteen, complete with SPAM sandwiches, doughnuts, Coke and more! Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Stop by and see the exhibit before it closes.
Learn about the war experiences of four Winnetka soldiers:
John Boynton in the Army, Carl Clader in the Army Air Corps, Gilbert Schmidt in the Marines and Gordon P. Smith in the Navy. We also feature Sallie Welsh Van Arsdale who was in the WAVES and a Red Cross volunteer.
You will learn about the tremendous sense of community support Winnetkans gave the troops. Victory gardens, ration books, war industry, the Red Cross and many more activities are featured.
Hear music, speeches and view unique artifacts like a genuine Norden bombsight.
Museum Hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. Staff is onsite during the business week from 10:00 – 4:00 p.m., and we love to welcome visitors!
Annual Luncheon - February 21
Join us for this always-popular event, featuring a history of one of Chicago’s most fascinating female leaders of the Progressive Era.
Winnetka Story documentary
We are pleased to announce that Winnetka Story recently received a Superior Award from the Illinois Association of Museums! This coveted award recognized the “quality of its production and ease of navigating the various topics within the DVD”. Get your copy today!!
Winnetka native John Newcombe, a Los Angeles-based writer and filmmaker, has created a documentary highlighting the rich stories of the history of Winnetka and the North Shore.
The cost of the DVD is $19.95 and may be purchased at the museum or at Phototronics. It can also be ordered online by clicking here
“Home Alone” Fundraiser Gives Inside Look at Film Location
The Society’s annual June fundraiser was a special one. Guests got inside the Winnetka “Home Alone” house to get a look at scene locations from the 1990 megahit now familiar to so many. Home owners Cynthia and John Abendschien shared amusing stories about their nine-months-long cohabitation with the actors, film crew and director John Hughes. Many guests in the photos below imitate young actor McCauley Culkin’s famous “scream” expression from the movie.
Why Does Our Train Run on the Wrong Track?
Gazette Article by: Tom Hermes
Appeared in the Gazette: Fall 1996
There is no easy answer to the question, “Why does the Chicago & North Western Railroad run on the left track?” In fact, the entire original system is left-handed. Although it is the only one of its kind in the United States, no records could be found to explain why.
Nonetheless, two theories have emerged. One is that the line was designed by the English. The second, and more likely, suggests that convenience started us commuting south-paw style.
David Plowden
Gazette Article by: Barbara Joyce
Appeared in the Gazette: Fall 1996
“…Remembrance of Things Passing”
Because our kinetic lives are filled with noise and color and confusion, the black and white still photograph provides the best way to see the world. This is the opinion of David Plowden, photographer and writer of national distinction and Winnetka resident since 1978.