The 1950s Park Forest House Museum commemorates the pioneers; of Park Forest--the residents who moved here during the first five years. In an original rental townhome, it is furnished as it might have been from 1948-1953. Park Forest was the first fully-planned, post World War II suburb, and America's Original GI Town,studied around the world. Now with convenient parking in front of the building.

Contents of the museum include artwork by Park Forest artists, books records, toys, clothes, dishes and glassware, appliances and furniture. Visiting the house museum is a trip down Memory Lane, with special appeal for Baby Boomers, their parents and families--but people of all ages enjoy seeing it and reminiscing. It is a hands-on museum, with surprises in every drawer. Seasonal and holiday touches are added with a tree and period decorations during December. Photographs and sales brochures from the archives are on display.

The museum is decorated as a home, with one room featuring a classroom similar to those of the rental unit schools, Forest Boulevard School and Juniper School, set up by the developers before the actual schools were built and then used for extra classroom space.

A docent is on duty to tell how the Village of Park Forest was planned and built by American Community Builders and to describe the contents of the house, along with social and fashion trends in the early 1950s.

Don Snider of Star Publications, has described the museum as "A well-planned blast to the past"..."authentic" and he also said, "the museum has become a repository of Park Forest history, and one of the best examples of 1950s era furnishings and memorabilia."

Online Gift Shop

Books on Park Forest history, postcards, and bricks from the Marshall Field's Park Forest Store, demolished in Fall 2010, can be purchased in the museum or online.

Park Forest Historical Society Mission

To preserve, interpret, and celebrate the unique history, diversity and achievements of the Village of Park Forest, Illinois through exhibits, publications, and special programs; To educate residents, students and visitors, in all aspects of the village history; To promote and support historical research; To encourage donations, and enlist volunteers, for the Park Forest Local History Collection and Archive and the 1950s Park Forest House Museum; To honor those who have contributed to our community over a long period of time.

History of the Museum

The museum began in Fall 1998 as part of the 50th Anniversary of Park Forest--hence its original name, the 50th Anniversary House Museum. Intended to be open only for two months, it was included in the League of Woman Voters' annual House Walk in October 1998. It was set up by the 50th Anniversary Committee, the League and was provided rent and utilities free by David Clapper and Atlantic Asssociates who own ThornCreek Townhomes development. Residents provided a number of the furnishings, but some wonderful period pieces were bought from used furniture stores. It all came together so nicely, that it was eventually decided that the museum would remain open. When the 50th Anniversary Committee was dissolved in 1999, the Park Forest Historical Society assumed responsibility for it. The society has been in existence since 1985 and re-opened the museum in December 2007 at 141 Forest Blvd under the sponsorship of AIMCO, owners of Central Park Townhomes. In 2010, Central Park Apartments became the museum sponsors.

The museum is full of furniture and household items common to homes in the early 1950s that our residents would have owned. There is artwork, books, records, toys, clothes--including golashes, aprons, and cloth diapers--dishes and glassware, appliances and furniture. There are examples of Russell Wright, Fiesta Ware, Boontonware, Tupperware, Mirro Aluminum, hammered aluminum decorative and functional pieces, Homer Laughlin dishes, cookie cutters, cleaning products, dollhouses with furniture and a toy metal barn with farm animals, anodized aluminum tumblers, pitcher and bowls, a 1947 GE Refrigerator, a bathinette, and more.

Authentic research materials at the museum include original sales brochures and maps of the early rental courts and "homes for sale" area, along with photographs showing the construction of the village, and the architects, planners and developers. Videotaped interviews with early residents are available for viewing. In the classroom, copies of school district scrapbooks are available, containing not only school news, but also copies of many of the early magazine stories written on Park Forest. Materials for more in-depth study are available at the Park Forest Public Library, located about two blocks from the museum. It is wise to call the library before visiting with a local history research question. The archivist is available to meet with researchers by phone, email or by appointment.

• The museum can be open for tours, including school tours by appointment. A tour of the Village can be arranged with the archivist. One educator's guide is aavailable through the Illinois Digital Archives. It may be possible to do a teacher training session--one was put together in the past. The society has a slide show on Park Forest history which is available with a speaker, for a fee. All fees are arranged on a case by case basis.

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members

Appointment required: Yes

The society issues a newsletter, quarterly, "The Spirit." This began in 2006. Previously there had been two or three issues of a newsletter called, "Prologue."