For those interested in taking a trip back in time, the southwest suburbs are graced with a number of historical museums-most run by the non-profit historical societies. All of the facilities listed below are open free of charge to the public unless otherwise noted.
The historic Lockport community features several facilities. The Gladys Fox Historical Museum is housed in the Old Congregational Church at 9th and Washington Streets. Operated by Lockport Township Park District, the museum has permanent displays on the nearby Dellwood Park-a turn-of-the-century amusement park-and a model of the restoration of the nearby Gaylord Building. For more information, call 815-838-0803.
Down the street at 803 S. State St. is the Illinois & Michigan Canal Museum, run by the Will County Historical Society. The museum has displays on the history of the canal and is housed in the 1837 building that served as the canal`s headquarters. Behind the facility is the Pioneer Settlement open-air museum, a collection of mid-1800s buildings and artifacts from the community. For more information, call 815-838-5080.
The John Humphreys House at 144th Street and Beacon Avenue in Orland Park gives visitors an idea of what southwest suburban homes were like in the late 1800s. The house, which belonged to village founder and politician Humphreys, is open every second Sunday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. and is run by the Orland Historical Society. It is also available for group tours. Call 708-349-0065.
The Tinley Park Historical Society Museum is housed in the Old Zion Landmark Church at 6727 W. 174th St. Currently on display are exhibits of Pottawatomie Indian artifacts found by local residents, Rock Island Railroad memorabilia and a collection of antique dolls. The museum is open Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will have a $1 admission charge in the fall. For more information, call 708-532-4801.
Housed in the historic Rialto Theater Building is the Joliet Historical Society Museum at 17 E. Van Buren. Through October, the museum will hold an exhibit of architectural drawings of Joliet buildings. Historical photographs and )and documents are also on display. For more information, call 815-722-7003.
