Local History in Your Backyard

By: Jonathan Jones 04/22/2013

Local history buffs can travel back in time without venturing any further than downtown Grayslake.  In addition to the recent Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America exhibit from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL, the Grayslake Heritage Center is also home to showcases highlighting local history.

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Embracing Change: The Growth of Grayslake gives visitors and opportunity to delve into Grayslake’s past, from its early agricultural beginnings to the population boom it has seen since the 1990s.  The exhibit details the arrival of the railroad and the transformational effect it had on the town’s growth.  Visitors can view images and artifacts of early businesses, such as genuine Grayslake Gelatin cans, and historic buildings, some of which are still standing today.

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The second floor of the Grayslake Heritage Center currently is home to a unique collection of aprons that detail the tenure of various local businesses, including bakeries and restaurants.  Visitors can learn about the first businesses to line the streets of historic downtown Grayslake while simultaneously viewing the transformation of the occupational aprons.

The Grayslake Heritage Center is located at 164 Hawley Street in downtown Grayslake.  Admission to the Grayslake Heritage Center is free, and donations are accepted to support future programming.  For more information on program and exhibit hours, please visit the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum’s website.