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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.

LEADERSHIP
STAFF

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Katharine Korte Andrew, Society Manager

Contact: societymanager@hinsdalehistory.org

Janet Miller, Volunteer Archivist

Justin Stauder, Archives Intern

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WOMEN'S BOARD

KITCHEN WALK CHAIRS

Lauren Kavanaugh

Alicia O'Brien

Stephanie Tuthill

LUNCHEON CHAIRS

Hope Lloyd Brown

Diane Crites

Katie Isadore

HINSDALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUILDINGS

Hinsdale History Museum

15 S Clay Street, Hinsdale

Open Friday and Saturday

By Appointment Only - call or email

Immanuel Hall

302 S Grant Street, Hinsdale

Archives open By Appointment Only - call or email

R. Harold Zook Home and Studio

5901 S County Line Road, Hinsdale

Studio open for programming only

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Carrie Rozich, Co-President

Kristen Laakso, Co-President

Emily Bower, Co-Vice President

Patrick Roxworthy, Co-Vice President

Walker Rediehs, Secretary

Stacey Campbell, Treasurer                              

 

TRUSTEES

Alexis Braden

Elizabeth Reilley

Elizabeth Oliverio

Hope Lloyd Brown

Katharine "Katie" Andrews

Maureen Potempa

Richard Heinz

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