Ever wonder where the name “Des Plaines” came from?

Curator of Collections Siobhan Heraty takes us through the short but important life of one of Des Plaines' first settlers: Harriet Goodnough.

Join Interpretive Curator Emma Marston as she takes us through a brief history of photography, and introduces us to the Des Plaines History Center's camera collection.

Join Executive Director Philip Mohr as he shows us one of the most popular items on permanent display in our visitor center: a 1974 aerial photograph of Des Plaines.

Join Siobhan Heraty, Curator of Collections, as she explains the significance of the Safety Bicycle and its importance in women’s history. For more information, check out the Des Plaines History Center’s new exhibit: “Women in Des Plaines.”

Three of our volunteers stopped by to tell us about how the beautiful gardens surrounding the historic Kinder House came together.

Join Interpretive Curator Emma Marston as she highlights the most overlooked room in the historic Kinder House: the bathroom.

Join Siobhan Heraty, Curator of Collections at the Des Plaines History Center, as she presents the story of a blast from the not so distant past: the Betamax player. Check out this short video about the great videotape format war of the 1970s & 80s!

Join Interpretive Curator Emma Marston on a quick journey through the history of the Town of Maine Cemetery, and meet some of its most famous residents.

In this Halloween episode of our "From the Collections" series, Curator of Collections Siobhan Heraty guides viewers through the history of porcelain dolls and ponders the question of whether they are creepy or cute.

Curator of Collections Siobhan Heraty discusses a staff and visitor favorite in our "Growing up in Des Plaines" exhibit: a 1950s Magnavox TV set.

Did you know that the Des Plaines History Center has lots of programs designed for your classroom? Join Executive Director Philip Mohr on this short video adventure as he "Des Plaines" it to you.

Did you know that there was a board game made about Des Plaines? Join Executive Director Philip Mohr as he gives a brief overview of the "Heritage of Des Plaines Game” and explains how it offers us a peek into the 1980s business landscape.

Learn about beaver pelts, and how they changed the North American Fur Trade, with Interpretive Curator Emma Marston.

John Neiman's Lego Model of the Choo Choo Restaurant: John Neiman sits down and talks about how he constructed a Lego recreation of the famous Des Plaines restaurant, the Choo Choo Diner. The model can be seen in the "Growing up in Des Plaines" exhibit, on display at the Des Plaines History Center through the end of 2022.

From the Collections #6, The Art of Joseph Stanek Jr.: Executive Director Philip Mohr delves into the Des Plaines History Center's collection of art pieces by Joe Stanek Jr., an employee at the Benjamin Electric Manufacturing Company in the first half of the 20th Century.

Hands on History #6, Invisible Ink: Learn how to make your own invisible ink, inspired by George Washington’s network of spies during the American Revolution, with Interpretive Curator Emma Marston.

From the Collections #4, World War I Quilt: Check out this fantastic quilt made during World War I, most likely to benefit the YMCA as an organization giving aid and comfort to members of the U.S. armed forces. We've had it on display twice in recent exhibits, and we think you'll see why we pull it out of storage so frequently.

Hands on History #5, CD Hovercraft: Learn how to use an old CD/DVD and some other household items to create a hovercraft! Materials are available from the Des Plaines History Center in our Spring 2021 Activity Kits for ages 8+ while supplies last.

Hands on History #3: Learn how to make your own Jacob's Ladder (AKA: click clack blocks, tumbling blocks) toy using activity kits from the History Center. They're simple enough, you can probably make them at home with material on hand! This is a fun toy that makes noise, bends the mind, and goes back millennia.

From the Colletions #3, The Song “Des Plaines”: In the early 20th century, the Des Plaines slogan was very straightforward: "You Will Like Des Plaines." Local organizations and individuals made a group effort to turn this slogan into a song. Learn about and listen to it in this video. Thank you to the Maine West High School Choraliers for recording the song for us!

Hands on History #2: Our education collection contains some objects we manufacture for our programs, including these Roman arch blocks. Stop in to test your skills or make your own blocks at home with plaster of Paris and a standard ice cube tray!

Hands on History #1: Take a look at this historic tabletop pinball game from our education collection. You can even stop in at the History Center and try it out yourself!

From the Collections # 2: Take a look at this 1947 aerial view of Des Plaines. It features some houses of old downtown, the DoALL Contour Saws factory, the Westfield and Villas subdivisions, farmland, and details too numerous to list here.

Kinder House Detail #5, Household Storage: Take a look at the ample built-in cabinets and closets in the 1907 Kinder House, a spacious upgrade from the family's prior quarters!

Take a quick look at the 1907 Kinder House!

John Goldsmith presents the story of three enterprising young men who founded a fraternal supply company in 1892 that today is one of the biggest manufacturers of marching band uniforms. It’s an entertaining tale of trick chairs, strength testers, graduation caps and gowns, and band uniforms.

In this presentation, the Borchers siblings tell the inspiring story of how they rallied together as a family, rebuilt their lives, and ensured that the 273 people lost in the American Airlines Flight 191 disaster would never be forgotten.

This presentation on 19th century cloth and clothing production includes details on textiles in pre-Civil War Illinois life, cotton’s place in the 19th century American economy, and the rise of the ready to wear clothing industry. Presented by Erika Holst.

Dr. Mark Tonelli, an assistant professor of music at Millikin University and professional jazz musician, discusses important musical figures, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis.

Enjoy this small slice from the Q&A segment of our Coffee Talk on Johnny Appleseed, performed by Hank Fincken.

Join us for a program that examines American life during the Second World War, through live music and anecdotes presented by John and Kathryn Atwood. World War II veterans who have heard this program through Pillars of Honor give the presenters’ song selection an enthusiastic thumbs up!

Listen and learn about the historical development of opera with performances and history information presented by the Chicago Summer Opera. It’s not just for opera aficionados — there’s something for everyone at this special performance highlighting the CSOpera’s 2022 season.

Author Susan Kelsey shares the story of Billy Caldwell, “Chief Sauganash,” and his journey after leaving the Chicago area after signing treaties to cede over 5,000,000 acres of land to a growing white settlement. His legacy tribe is the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and she provides an update on their story.

In this presentation, Catherine Lambrecht offers the audience an opportunity to follow the judging experience with curated histories, recipes and pictures of displays submitted at the Illinois State Fair. Catherine also shares some of the wonderful stories she’s collected over the years, including a long-standing family argument over the best asparagus soup, and a family of mushroom collectors preserving old country traditions.

Curator of Collections Siobhan Heraty introduces the audience to the Des Plaines History Center’s newest exhibit. “Growing up in Des Plaines” explores what it was like to be a school age child in Des Plaines, from the time of the city’s settlement in the 1830s to the turn of the 21st century.

Join local historian Richard Lindberg as he discusses some items from Chicago history that are at least somewhat lost to time.

Military historian Greg Jacobs speaks about Camp Grant near Rockford, IL, where may recruits and draftees from Des Plaines went for basic training during the world wars.

Listen to how music and opera changed over time with selections performed by the Chicago Summer Opera from their 2021 season, including Silla, Don Giovanni, and Hansel & Gretel.

Folk musician Chris Vallillo presents historic instruments made right here in Illinois, talks about the history of the instruments and folk music in our region, and performs several songs! Recording is from our "Coffee Talk" series, recorded the evening of May 20, 2021.

Our staff answered questions from the audience live on Zoom the evening of February 18, 2021. Check out this fun local history event, learn about Des Plaines, and feel free to contact staff if you have any questions yourself!

Listen to a brief centennial history of the Des Plaines Park District by our Curator of Collections, Siobhan Heraty.

Guest speaker Cynthia Clampitt, author of Midwest Maize: How Corn Shaped the U.S. Heartland, talks about corn and its importance to our society.