The museum store at the Westchester Township Historical Museum has added a new book, The Prairie Club of Chicago, to its “Images of America” series published by Arcadia. This book will be available in the museum through December 23, and after January 2, at Thomas Library, along with other items from the museum store. The museum will be closed for the month of January and will reopen on Saturday afternoons from 1-5 p.m., beginning February 2.

Originally formed in 1908, as an outgrowth of the Playground Association of Chicago, the Prairie Club was incorporated as a separate entity in 1911. Embodying the typical reform mentality of the Progressive era, the club emphasized outdoor recreation and preservation, and sponsored walking trips around Chicago’s countryside. With each of these walks, public support grew for what ultimately became victorious efforts to establish the forest preserves, Indiana Dunes, and other nature spots around the burgeoning cityscape.

Captured here in over 200 vintage photographs, many of which author Cathy Jean Maloney borrowed from the Prairie Club archives at Westchester Public Library, are the footsteps of the Prairie Club as they built a constituency for exploring and preserving the forests and fields surrounding the Windy City.

The museum, an educational service of Westchester Public Library, is located on the lower level of the Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Avenue in downtown Chesterton. Enter through the courtyard on Calumet Road.

For further information, please call 921-0963. After February 2, 2002, please call 926-7696.

Westchester Public Library announces Westchester Township Historical Museum, located at 100 W. Indiana Avenue in downtown Chesterton, will close for the holiday season on December 24. The museum will be closed for the month of January and will reopen on Saturday afternoons from 1 - 5 p.m. beginning February 2. The new hours are being put into effect due to the Library's 2002 austerity budget.

The museum, an educational service of Westchester Public Library, is located on the lower level of the Library Service Center. Enter through the courtyard on Calumet Road.

For further information, please call 921-0963. After February 2, please call 926-7696.

Posted 12/14/2001