This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.The 1950s Park Forest House Museum, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest, Illinois, in the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church, invites you to "Step Back into a 1950s Christmas", December 6, 2025 through January 3, 2026. Closed Christmas Eve. Call about New Year’s Eve daytime.A museum visit provides a wonderful inter-generational experience. Bring the kids, grandkids and grandparents. Operated by the Park Forest Historical ...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
The 1950s Park Forest House Museum, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest, Illinois, in the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church, invites you to "Step Back into a 1950s Christmas", December 6, 2025 through January 3, 2026. Closed Christmas Eve. Call about New Year’s Eve daytime.
A museum visit provides a wonderful inter-generational experience. Bring the kids, grandkids and grandparents. Operated by the Park Forest Historical Society, the museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.; appointments for small groups at other times can be arranged. Admission/Donation is Adults $5.00; 12 and under free; one adult free with purchase of a Marshall Field's Brick, or with purchase of a “Remembering Rich East” DVD or thumb drive.
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 bad weather. Information and email inquiries are through the website 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, 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 the Marshall Field's Park Forest Store to support the museum and the mission of preserving and sharing Park Forest history. Bricks are 1 for $15; 2 for $25, and come with a Certificate of Authenticity and a history of the Marshall Field's Park Forest Store.
Prints of Annabelle Gould's vibrant watercolor showing the Park Forest Plaza and Holiday Theatre are on sale for $15. “Remembering Rich East” video is available on DVD or thumb drive for $20. Books and other items on Park Forest are available at the museum and in the online store, at www.parkforesthistory.org. Shipping and handling for bricks is at least $19; all shipping prices on the website are subject to change.
Questions on the museum and exhibits should be sent to Director, Jane Nicoll through the email on the website.
After January 3, the museum will be closed in January, except by appointment.
"Like" the 1950s Park Forest House Museum and the Park Forest Historical Society on Facebook.