‘Step Back into a 1950s Christmas and Hanukkah’

Visit the Hanukkah display at the Park Forest House Museum, through January 3. –Photo submitted.

Bring back the nostalgia of a 1950s Christmas at the Park Forest House Museum, Wednesdays and Saturdays through January 3. –Photo submitted.

Plus 75th Anniversary of Park Forest exhibits at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum.

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, invites you to “Step Back into a 1950s Christmas and Hanukkah,” which will be open from November 29, through January 3. Also available to view is the “75th Anniversary of Park Forest” special exhibit, which runs through fall 2024. The museum is a wonderful inter-generational experience. Bring the kids, grandkids, and grandparents. The museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Appointments for small groups at other times can be arranged.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of 21st Century preparations to spend quality time getting a dose of holiday nostalgia. Vintage decorations are in every room. The exhibit features a musical, Black Forest green, aluminum, rotating tree – a Brillliant Noble Fir, made by the C. Sincere Company in Chicago, decorated with Mid-century modern ornaments. Gurley candles and Rosbro plastic figurines, dolls, toys, and games also will bring back memories to share. In addition, the museum has a Hanukkah display, along with an exhibit on Jewish residents of Park Forest.

The society sells bricks from the Marshall Field’s Park Forest Store to support the museum and the mission of preserving and sharing Park Forest’s history. Bricks are $15 each or two for $25 and come with a certificate of authenticity and a history of the Marshall Field’s Park Forest Store.

“Remembering Rich East” is a 20-minute video on DVD or thumb drive for $20. Prints of Annabelle Gould’s vibrant watercolor showing the Park Forest Plaza and Holiday Theatre are available for $15. Books and other items on Park Forest may be purchased at the museum and the online store, at www.parkforesthistory.org. Shipping and handling are subject to change.

The Marshall Field’s Park Forest Store was the first to be in a shopping center, beginning the long association between Philip M. Klutznick and the Field’s Company, which led to Water Tower Place.

After January 3, the museum will be closed, except by appointment, until it reopens February 3, with the exhibit, “Step Back into a 1950s Valentines Day and 75th Anniversary.”

Admission/donation is $5 for adults, with those 12 and under free. Parking is in the small lot, south of the church entrance; knock on the second to last classroom door to be admitted.

Call Jane Nicoll, museum director, at 708-481-4252 to confirm opening in case of extremely bad weather. The museum is operated by the Park Forest Historical Society. Information and email inquiries are through the website www.parkforesthistory.org.

“Like” the 1950s Park Forest House Museum and the Park Forest Historical Society on Facebook. Follow them on Plus @1950smuseum, and @parkforeststory.