This exhibit celebrates Winnetka’s 150th anniversary with a presentation of iconic and captivating artifacts representing each of the 15 decades since its founding in 1869. The selected objects might be beautiful, common, familiar, or even strange, but they are each emblematic of particular lost histories from Winnetka’s past. For every artifact, we have explored their often-untold stories by investigating where the item came from, who owned it and when, who made it, and what its purpose was. Through these objects, we have revealed the hidden information each one tells about the history of the Village and its residents.
1860s | The Sinking of the Lady Elgin
On September 8, 1860, the schooner Augusta rammed into the Lady Elgin off the coast of Winnetka, causing the ship to sink. Several Winnetkans later found debris from the wreckage along the Village’s beaches. Learn more about the sinking of the Lady Elgin and the door from the ship that is on exhibit at the Winnetka Historical Society. See more…
1870s | Academy Hall
The original Academy Hall building was completed in 1870. While it was originally intended to be a great university, Academy Hall ultimately served several important functions throughout its history. Learn more about the history of this important building and the bricks that are on exhibit at the Winnetka Historical Society. See more...
1880s | No Malaria Here!
Throughout the 1880s, Winnetka experienced a population boom. By 1889, realtor E. Percy Maynard had proclaimed Winnetka “the finest suburb in Cook County.” Learn more about Winnetka’s development during the 1880s and get a closer look at Maynard’s flier advertising real estate opportunities in Winnetka. See more…
1890s | Talented Tailor
The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, visited by approximately 27 million people, was a groundbreaking exposition showcasing a variety of innovations and talents from around the world. Winnetka’s own tailor Frank Heinig submitted this award-winning “Promenade Suit and Overcoat,” winning an esteemed award for his innovation. Learn about the history of the 1893 World’s Fair and Heinig’s historic contribution. See more…
1900s | Communication Contraption
Fires were a consistently dangerous issue for Winnetka home and business owners throughout the 19th century. In the early 20th century, the Winnetka Fire Department started using this pen register to enable them to respond to fires more quickly. Learn more about the history of the Winnetka Fire Department and this innovative and life saving pen register. See more…
1910s | All Aboard!
The development of railroads through Winnetka transformed the Village into a true urban suburb. These railroads, however, proved quite dangerous for pedestrians, bikers, and motorists. To make rail travel safer for all, the Village installed these “non-sweating” lamps to keep the railroad tracks lit during Winnetka’s varying seasonal weather. See more…
1920s | Get Out the Vote
Lola Maverick Lloyd was an activist who fought passionately for women’s right to vote. Lola used this poster to gain support for women’s suffrage and help Winnetka’s suffragettes raise funds. Learn more about Lola Maverick Lloyd’s activism and the role Winnetka women played in the suffrage movement. See more…
1930s | Old Jim the Workhorse
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several Winnetka businesses used dray horses to allow them to work in parts of the Village that were otherwise difficult to access. Old Jim was the Village’s last dray horse, working hard for the Winnetka Coal and Lumber Company until the end of the 1930s. Learn more about Old Jim’s special place in Village history. See more…
1940s | War Effort Victory Gardens
During World War II, over 2,000 Winnetka households registered Victory Gardens to help boost morale and supplement the Village’s food supply. Learn more about the ways that Winnetkans supported the war effort both on the home front and abroad. See more…
1950s | Rummage, Rummage, Rummage
The Winnetka Rummage sale is a decades-long tradition for many Chicagoland residents. The 1950s were a particularly great decade for the sale. During that decade, Rummage Sale Chair Madolyn Fraser hand-knit this sweater and wore it for a feature in the Chicago Tribune to help advertise the sale. Learn more about the history of the Rummage Sale and its important contributions to several charitable organizations. See more…
1960s | Speak Up and Speak Out
During the 1960s, a nationwide counterculture movement was in full force. Winnetka was not immune to this movement – in fact, many youths took part in rebelling against society’s conventional norms. The Community House hosted several events to help bridge the generation gap and give Winnetkans of all ages a forum for productive conversation. Learn more about the 1960s and how events like the one advertised in this poster sought to address contemporary issues. See more…
1970s | Trendsetting Winnetka
During the 1970s, American fashion saw a resurgence in the popularity of craft and handmade items. Winnetka boutiques like Minna Hart tapped into this trend, selling unique craft items like this Caro Nan basket purse. Learn more about the unique fashion of the 1970s and the ways in which Winnetkans embraced and perpetuated particular styles. See more…
1980s | Wheelin’ and Dealin’
The Winnetka Youth Organization is a longstanding organization that fosters young people’s development in a supportive and encouraging environment. During the 1980s, the organization used a particularly creative tactic to raise funds and support its mission by commissioning and selling a local version of the popular Wheeler Dealer game. Learn more about this organization and the Wheeler Dealer “Game of Winnetka.” See more…
1990s | Circle of Giving
Beloved teacher Julie Hall started teaching at North Shore Country Day School in 1976. For decades, Hall used a variety of creative tactics to help thousands of students learn and grow. Learn more about the history of the school and Hall’s incredible impact on the Winnetka community. See more…
2000s | A Spell is Cast
The Book Stall, Winnetka’s legendary bookstore, has hosted many famous authors throughout its storied history, including Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Rowling’s visit caused quite a stir, resulting in a call to the local police! Learn more about the Book Stall and Rowling’s visit. See more…