Lake Forest Legacy Project Will Document History of Local Businesses, Organizations

What do the the Lake Forest YWCA, Kay Weston Weddings, the Lake Forest Symphony, the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Community Associates of the Art Institute, and the Village Quilters have in common? 

The Lake Forest Legacy Project.

The Lake Forest Sesquicentennial Historical Activities Committee's year-long project seeks to collect historical information about community organizations and businesses.

The information from the project, which coincides with Lake Forest’s 150th celebration this year, will be used to build a special archive of historical information about Lake Forest institutions.

The project will focus on the more recent past since the last general survey of Lake Forest community history, Edward Arpee’s "History and Reminiscences of Lake Forest, Illinois, 1861-1961," was published nearly 50 years ago.

Participation offers an opportunity for local institutions, from businesses and book groups to schools and soccer clubs to celebrate their part in the community’s heritage and highlight their activities and milestones over the years.

“This effort will give us documented material from which a future history can be written and to which people can turn for research,” said committee member Arthur Miller. “It’s a wonderful way for us to celebrate the cultural heritage of our city."

Any business, organization, or group can participate by sending a copy of its history to the Historical Society.

"Preserving this information is a way of recognizing and remembering the people, organizations, and businesses that have made this a great place to live, work, and volunteer.” said Janice Hack, director of the

Don’t have a written account? Use the survey created by the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society to guide you through creating a history. The survey is available online at http://www.lflbhistory.org/150th.htm and also from the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society

 The Historical Society will also hold informational workshops at 10 a.m. April 7 and 4 p.m. May 5. Additional information about the sesquicentennial is available at www.lf150.com.

Examples of helpful information to include are the business or organization founding date, founders’ names, events and activities, sponsored awards and recognition, and history of locations and/or buildings. Groups are also encouraged to provide copies of items such as newsletters, bylaws, press clippings, or photographs. These records, along with the survey itself, will become part of the Lake Forest Legacy Project Archives and will be housed at the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society.

Completed histories can be directed to the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society (847) 234- 5253 or info@lflbhistory.org).

Questions about the project can be directed to Laurie Stein, curator, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society or Miller, archivist and librarian for Special Collections, Lake Forest College, at (847) 735-5064 or amiller@lakeforest.edu).