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ABOUT US

HINSDALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Throughout its first century, the Village of Hinsdale had no organization or central place to store records and treasures of its past. Scattered attic trunks, photograph scrapbooks and dusty basement library stacks were the isolated repositories that contained clues to the Village's glorious history. Memories of earlier times were gradually fading. As early residents and their descendents died, pieces of history went with them.

 

Inspired by the Village's approaching centennial celebration in 1973, a group of concerned residents began to scour the community in search of data and memorabilia that would be useful in public exhibits and presentations of its 100 year history. Because of the difficulties encountered in collecting such material, the idea of a permanent historical organization was conceived.

 

In April 1975, the Hinsdale Historical Society, under the auspices of the Village's Board of Trustees, was granted a charter as a not-for-profit corporation by the State of Illinois. It was the end of the beginning.

 

The first of many tasks facing the Society's Trustees was to find a home - a building that was itself of historical significance, that could adequately house the Society's headquarters and archives, serve as a public museum, be conveniently located and meet a non-existent budget.

In 1981, after years of searching, the Society was offered a centennial home owned by Hinsdale School District 181. The Village Board made a one-quarter acre park site available under a long-term lease and the Society took possession on August 12, 1981, relocating the house from 213 South Lincoln Street to 15 South Clay Street. The Society privately raised funds to pay the cost of moving the house, utility installation, basement construction, a new roof, front porch and other necessary repairs. Meanwhile, a tireless group of volunteers collected data and memorabilia and developed a program of service.

With the community into its second century, the Society is well established. Hinsdale's proud heritage will be preserved and displayed for future generations.

STAFF

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Katharine Korte Andrew, Society Manager and Archivist

Contact: kandrew@hinsdalehistory.org

Steve Arens, Facilities

Justin Stauder, Assistant Archivist

Matthew Stockmal, Technical Producer and Event Assistant

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Walker Rediehs, President

Alexis Braden, Vice President

Sarah Zielke, Secretary

Katie Crotty, Treasurer     

Emily Bower, Past-President                         

 

TRUSTEES

Carrie Rozich

Elizabeth Reilley

Elizabeth Oliverio

Hope Lloyd Brown

Krista Haberkorn

Kristen Laakso

Mark Montgomery

Maureen Potempa

Patrick Roxworthy

Richard Heinz

Stacey Campbell

VOLUNTEERS

KITCHEN WALK CHAIRS

Kristin Burton

Emily Bower

Ria Hoban

Amanda Mancini

Anne Otzen

LUNCHEON CHAIRS

Hope Lloyd Brown

Courtney Casey

Diane Crites

Katie Isadore

Alicia O'Brien​​​

ARCHIVES & MUSEUM

Janet Miller​, Archives: Historian and Archivist

Nadia Shamsi, Museum: Docent

JUNIOR BOARD

Ayla Mushtaq, Co-President

Daniel Peev, Co-President

HINSDALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUILDINGS

Hinsdale History Museum

15 S Clay Street, Hinsdale

Open Biweekly on Saturdays or by appointment.

Immanuel Hall

Ruth and Roger Anderson Architecture Center and Society Archives

302 S Grant Street, Hinsdale

Archives Open by Appointment Only

R. Harold Zook Home and Studio

5901 S County Line Road, Hinsdale

Studio open for programming only by appointment.

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