Chicago Tribune February 3, 2008 and AARP Bulletin March 2008 Feature 1950s House Museum

On February 3, 2008 the Chicago Tribune ran a wonderful story by Joel Hood on the museum in the Metro section, Page 1 and page 5, with color photographs by John Smierczak (a former resident!). You have to pay to read it on their official site, but there is another site which still had the text for free. The article has brought many visitors to our doors in the past few months.

Cotton and Quail Antiques Gazette Article July 2008

We are on the web in a pretty impressive article from Cotton and Quail Antiques Gazette, reprinted on Antique Trader website, July 3, 2008. The article title is, "Step into the 1950s at Park Forest House Museum," by Alan M. Petrillo. We have had trouble linking it to the website. You can search 1950s House Museum and find it on the web.
"Step into the 1950s at Park Forest House Museum"

August 30, 2008 Marks 60^th Anniversary of Tenants Moving In to Park Forest Rentals

 

August 30, 2008  is the 60th Anniversary date of the first three families moving into the rental units in Park Forest. The first three families to move in were Ross and Leona DeLue with their five year-old daughter, Mary, William and Jane Heckman, and Manuel and Madeleine Kanter.  Each family was received by a different ACB employee, so at different times, each was recognized as the First Family.  The ones who stayed the longest were Ross and Leona DeLue, who were often recognized as the First Family of Park Forest. Leona tells us  jockeying for the claim of who moved in first was always a very friendly competition.These three families were honored along with the first 100 families on the plaque the Village of Park Forest dedicated in the Downtown on July 30, 2008, located at Founder's Way and Main Street.

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.