The sun shone on Ridge Road on Sunday during a celebratory gathering of community, past and present. The Wilmette Historical Museum and the Wilmette Police Department each hosted their preeminent community events this weekend, jointly opening their doors to all for an annual Village celebration.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants were invited to a free performance by the Wilmette Community Band on the museum’s front lawn, explore the Museum’s historic building, tour exhibits, and take part in a variety of family-friendly activities, while down the street at the Police Department, tours of the station and free hot dogs were offered.
“Our biggest emphasis today is to reach out to members of our community to engage area families in fun activities and to remind them that we are here,” Sarah Hawkinson, community engagement coordinator for the Wilmette Historical Museum said.
Sunday also marked the official opening of the new Wilmette Historical Museum exhibit, Lost Wilmette, which Hawkinson says, explores stories about Wilmette landmarks that have been demolished or sometimes saved.
“The enthusiasm of our community members is what helps us keep Wilmette History alive,” Hawkinson said.
Amy Batjargal of Skokie attended with family.
“We were looking for fun events in our area that welcomed kids, and this was a good excuse to come to the museum for the first time,” Batjargal said.
attend Sunday’s Wilmette Historical Museum and the Wilmette Police Department’s preeminent community joint open house and annual Village celebration.
Museum open house attendees had an opportunity to explore the original Gross Point Village Hall built in 1896, check out the new Lost Wilmette exhibit, enjoy a front lawn performance by the Wilmette Community band, play Wilmette Bingo, get locked up in the original basement jail cell, plant cucumber seeds and learn about Wilmette’s pickle growing history, and enter a raffle to win a new family membership and other museum goodies.
Hawkinson says the museum building was the former Gross Point Village Hall, and was a space historically shared by the Wilmette Police Department and the village. Built in 1896, the Gross Point Village Hall is a two-story, late-Victorian structure, was designated as a Wilmette Local Landmark in 1989 and awarded a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Stephanie Strano of Wilmette attended on Sunday.
“This is our first time since COVID to venture out to this event, we could hardly resist the festive band and the outdoor activities and sunshine,” Strano said.
The Wilmette Police Department open house offered families tours of Police Department plus lockup and firearms range, a chance to climb aboard a firetruck, mug shots for children, NIPAS display of a regional SWAT team, an incident command vehicle, canine unit and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Jeff Weber of Wilmette attended on Sunday.
“We moved here a year ago, and thankfully, we have not had a reason to call for emergency assistance, but we live close by and have been impressed with the friendliness and professionalism of the Wilmette Police and Fire Departments, they are especially great with the kids,” Weber said.
Wilmette Police Sergeant Roger Ockrim coordinated the Wilmette Police Department’s open house event.
“This is our chance every year to open up our doors and invite the community in to see what we do and to learn more about the business we are in,” Ockrim said. “An event like this one helps us stay connected, it gives us a low stress opportunity to socialize with families, a time when we are not busy answering calls but when we can enjoy the day together.”
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
