Step Back to a 1950s Christmas at Park Forest House Museum

Step back in time and enjoy memorabilia from a 1950 Christmas. –Photo submitted.

The 1950s Park Forest House Museum, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, invites the community to “Step Back into a 1950 Christmas,” through January 4, except for Christmas Eve. A museum visit provides a wonderful inter-generational experience, so bring the family.

Operated by the Park Forest Historical Society, the museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., with appointments for small groups available at other times. Admission/donation is: Adults – $5, 12 and under free, one adult free with purchase of a Marshall Field’s Brick, or with purchase of a “Remembering Rich East” DVD.

Parking is in the small lot at the far end of the church. 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 extreme weather. Information and email inquiries are on the website at www.parkforesthistory.org.

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 museum features a musical, Black Forest green, aluminum, rotating tree – a Brillliant Noble Fir, made by the C. Sincere Company in Chicago, and decorated with mid-century modern ornaments. Gurley candles and Rosbro plastic figurines, a collection of Santa and Mrs. Claus salt and pepper shakers, dolls, toys, and games will bring back memories to share. The museum also has a Hanukkah display, along with an exhibit on Jewish residents of Park Forest.

The society is selling bricks from Marshall Field’s Park Forest Store to support the museum and the mission of preserving and sharing Park Forest 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. Shipping and handling for bricks is at least $19.

Prints of Annabelle Gould’s vibrant watercolor, showing the Park Forest Plaza and Holiday Theatre, are on sale for $15, also. The “Remembering Rich East” video is available on DVD or thumb drive for $20, plus books and other items about Park Forest are available at the museum and in the online store at www.parkforesthistory.org.

Questions on the museum and exhibits should be sent to Director, Jane Nicoll through the email on the website. After January 4, the museum will be closed for the rest of the month, except by appointment. It reopens February 1, with the exhibit, “Step Back into a 1950s Valentines’ Day.”