West Chicago City Museum Plans for Busy Season

West Chicago, Illinois: September 4, 2007 - A new exhibit, Building Community opens on September 15, 2007 at the City Museum, 132 Main Street in downtown West Chicago, and continues through 2008. It will feature the stories of hard-working immigrant families who built West Chicago and the railroads. Visitors will be encouraged to follow each section of the multi-faceted exhibit to encounter interesting artifacts, explore the community's railroad heritage and participate in children's activities that will bring them closer to understanding the journeys of those that came before them. The exhibit opening will be celebrated from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. with light refreshments on September 15th and will continue through 2008. The City Museum is open Tuesday - Friday, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Admission is free.

"There's a lot happening at the City Museum this time of year," commented Sara Phelan, Museum Educator. "We have some exciting events this fall in addition to the opening of our newest exhibit." The 18th Annual Tales Tombstones Tell on Friday, October 5, 2007 at Oakwood Cemetery provides an engaging event for the entire family. Starting at 6:30 p.m. and continuing every ten minutes until 7:50 p.m., history comes to life through costumed interpreters who reveal the life stories of selected former residents of West Chicago buried at the cemetery. The program is based on historical fact, not fiction or legend, and serves to enlighten, educate and entertain those that are interested in making connections to colorful personalities that helped shape present day West Chicago.

Antiques Discovery, West Chicago's answer to taking those treasures on the road for appraisal, returns on Sunday, October 14, 2007 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Fox Community Center, 306 Main Street. Grace Carolyn Dahlberg's forty years of experience and education in antiques and art will be available to the public for evaluating a variety of items (excluding coins, stamps or weapons). The fee per item is $8.00 and is limited to two items per person. An observer fee of $5.00 will be charged for those wishing to listen to discussion on items others have brought. Light refreshments are included. To learn more about the Museum and its activities, visit www.westchicago.org or call (630) 231-3376.

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