Little White School Museum Announces Fall Program Series

Oswego’s is gearing up to present their fall program series.

Geology and History of Meramech Hill

The 2012 Fall Series begins at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, with “The Geology and History of Meramech Hill” by geologist and historian Michael Chuinard.

Chuinard will discuss the reasons why Meramech Hill is one of the most historic sites in Kendall County—although it may not be historic for reasons many believe. Meramech Hill is located near Plano at the confluence of Big Rock and Little Rock creeks and the two creeks’ mouth on the Fox River.

Long believed to be the site of a climactic 1730 battle between the Fox Indian Tribe and the French and their Native American allies, it now appears the battle did not take place at Meramech Hill. Instead, the hill and its environs were the site of an ancient Indian city and later, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a historic Indian village site recorded on some of the earliest maps of the region.

During the Sept. 20 program, which is aimed at county residents age 14 and up, Chuinard will explain how the site’s unique geology contributed to and enabled the events that took place there during its long history.

Admission donation is $5. Preregistration is not required, but it does help the museum plan ahead. Walk-ins are always welcome.

To register or for more information, call the Oswegoland Park District at 630-554-1010.

Junior Curator Workshop

Part of this year's series is the museum’s unique Junior Curator Workshop for budding museum professionals aged 10 to 13 years. On Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., participants will have a unique opportunity to work behind the scenes on hands-on projects as junior curators at the Little White School Museum.

Starting with a museum tour, participants will then learn how to preserve and protect the museum’s priceless artifacts and archival materials. Lunch is included in the workshop fee, Registration, $9 for park district residents and $14 for non-residents, is required by calling the Oswegoland Park District at 630-554-1010. Hurry to register as this popular workshop fills up fast.

Oswego Cemetery Walk

On Thursday, Oct. 18, the museum will again partner with the Oswego Public Library District to host the popular, free annual Oswego Cemetery Walk at the historic Oswego Township Cemetery on South Main Street. From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., small groups will be guided through the cemetery to meet with the “ghosts” of early Oswego residents and pioneers. No registration is required. Arrive any time between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; tours leave every 15 minutes. For more information, call the Oswego Public Library at 630-554-3850.

Trolley Era in Kendall County

The fall program series will conclude at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, with “The Trolley Era in Kendall County,” a multimedia program by interurban trolley historian Steve Hyett.

From 1900 to 1925, Kendall County towns were served by a dependable, inexpensive mass transit system. Hyett will recount the story of how towns up and down the Fox River were once linked to a nationwide web of mass transit trolley lines, including the history of local interurban lines, the amusement parks the trolley companies built--such as Riverview Park opposite Boulder Hill--to encourage weekend ridership, and how, from 1900 to 1925, interurban trolleys provided vital all-weather passenger, mail, and freight service to Fox River towns in the era before affordable automobiles and paved roads displaced the interurban system.

Admission donation is $5. Preregistration is not required, but will help the museum plan ahead; walk-ins are welcome the evening of the program.

For more information or to register, call the park district at 630-554-1010.

The Little White School Museum is a cooperative project of the non-profit Oswegoland Heritage Association and the Oswegoland Park District. Regular hours are noon to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday and Saturday. The museum’s research and archives areas are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Special thanks to the Little White School Museum for providing the release.