Visitors to the museum in the spring and fall
It has been a busy fall at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum. We hosted a tour of the Rich East Class of 1966 Reunion the last weekend in September. On October 11, the Rich East Class of 1964 Reunion came through and took themselves on a driving tour of the village. Each of these classes had a member who was a daughter of Park Forest Reporter publisher, Irwin "Pappy" Schechter. Both enjoyed seeing the stack of early issues of the Reporter our "tenants" keep on the end table in the living room, and the assorted Reporter stories used as exhibits around the house. We enjoyed meeting everyone who came, and I think they really enjoyed stepping back into the 1950s with us! Keep us in mind if your reunion is coming to the area.
Class of 1964 outside of the museum
Class of 1966 inside the museum
Class of 1964 members enjoying school photos in the classroom.
Class of 1966 visiting in the living room.
There was a private tour for women from the South Suburban Newcomers Club on October 15. They all had fun talking about their lives in the 1950s and while looking at the museum.
Joe Loundy, Chicago Art Deco Society, Tess Johnston, author, and Rebeccah Warnandry (sp), both of Shanghai, China.
The people who win for traveling the farthest to see the museum are Tess Johnston and Rebeccah Wanandry(sp) of Shanghai, China! Ms. Johnston is an author, notably of books on Shanghai Art Deco, making a speaking appearance for the Chicago Art Deco Society on October 11, 2008. Last Spring, she told her hosts the one thing she wanted to see while in Chicago was our museum!! We thought she had seen the AARP Bulletin of March 2008, but Ms. Johnston says she had read about the museum two years ago or more. We arranged a private tour for Tess and Rebeccah and host, Joe Loundy.
A former resident, Joan Schloeter, now of Petaluma, California, visiting in Rockford, Illinois, came to visit with her family, Bob and Mary Lou McLaughlin, April 28, 2008. Joan asked us to say, "Hello" to anyone who remembers her. Joan is one of many former residents who has
come through and had a 'blast from the past."
come through and had a 'blast from the past."
On August 12, 2008, Eugene Weishaar, his daughters and niece came to the museum to speak to archivist Jane Nicoll. Mr. Weishaar is the grandson of Francis Weishaar who owned part of the land Park Forest was built on--the northeast end, including, he believes, Schubert's Lake and part of the Forest Preserve. His uncle owned the land Rich East High School stands on. Mr. Weishaar and Jane Nicoll had been exchanging calls and letters, and information and photos were exchanged. Eugene Weishaar was born in 1912 and lives now in Pacific Beach, Washington. We were delighted to have the chance to meet him and his family.
Mr. Eugene Weishaar
