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Naper Settlement & the Naperville Heritage Society

By admin | February 7, 2007

ning PointHaven't seen any groundhogs around Naper Settlement lately, so we don't know if spring is just around the corner or not. But we do have the cure for the winter doldrums with programs, workshops and activities all month long in February.

In our new program, “Bittersweet History of Chocolate,” we took three parts history, added a heaping dose of chocolate and came up with a delicious recipe for fun the weekend of Feb 18- 19.

Knock, knock. Who's there? Doorknobs, of course, from the incredible collection of two Naperville residents that will be displayed in a fabulous new exhibit.

The versatile Terry Lynch will bring his “Underground Railroad” presentation to the History Speaks Lecture Series on Feb. 11. If you've enjoyed meeting Terry in the past — Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson and Father Christmas — you won't want to miss this meaningful program.

Quell cabin fever by signing up the kids for some classes and workshops including Manners for Minors, School's Out programs for girls (with extended hours!) and fun-filled music classes with Amy Lowe.

Don't take the groundhog's word for it. Start your springtime activities early at Naper Settlement!

Turning Point

View hundreds of antique and unique doorknobs from a Naperville couple’s extensive collection in this special exhibit, “Doorknobs: A Handle of History,” which features hardware of the past. The exhibit will be displayed from Feb. 9 to April 8 in the Heritage Gallery.

The Underground Railroad

Learn how a “safe house” was used as a stopping point for runaway slaves to gain rest and nourishment before going on to safety in Canada in “The Underground Railroad” to be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at Century Memorial Chapel, located on the grounds of Naper Settlement.

Part of the History Speaks Lecture Series, Terry Lynch will portray an owner of an Illinois safe house and highlight several safe houses in the immediate Chicagoland area. Appropriate for all ages. Admission is $6 per person.

How sweet It Is!

Don't miss this brand new program, Bittersweet History of Chocolate, to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18. Visitors can collect period-appropriate chocolate recipes as they tour the historic houses. A fact-finding sheet for children about chocolate can be filled out as the young people move through the different buildings.

Guest speaker Cathy Bouchard, owner of Le Chocolat and Perfect Details in Naperville, will give a lecture on the history of chocolate at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in Century Memorial Chapel, where she will show samples of raw cacao and cocoa beans. She also will offer samples of authentic Mexican drinking chocolate that will be served in the Pre-Emption House Tavern. Admission is $8 adults, $7 seniors 62+ and $5.50 for youth ages 4-17. Children 3 and under are free.

Music Workshops Include Fun

Kids don’t have to be musicians to enjoy these workshops for ’tweens and teens on Saturday, Feb. 10, with award-winning singer/songwriter Amy Lowe.

• In “Sing the Blues,” kids will learn how to sing and write blues-style songs from 10 a.m. to noon. For fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders, the fee is $12 per child.

• Students in eighth grade through high school seniors can learn the art of songwriting from a pro through activities and improvisation in “From Story to Song” to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. The fee is $18 All workshops are held at Naper Settlement. For reservations, call 630.420.6010.

Research Library Has Weekend Hours

If you're researching your family tree or the history of your home or business, you'll definitely want to put the Naper Settlement Research Library on your list of resources. The Research Library will be open the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekly hours are also available on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Although appointments for Thursday and Saturday are not needed, appointments can and will be made to accommodate researchers throughout the week. In February, the Research Library will be open Feb. 3.

The expanded weekend hours allow access to a collection that contains over 500 reference volumes, more than 3,000 general history and family files, and over 5,000 images. Bound cemetery, census, birth, death and marriage records for DuPage County are available in addition to Internet access and genealogical Web sites.

More Fun Added to Day Camps

The All American School's Out for Girls day camps to be held on March 2 and over spring break March 26- 30 have extended hours from 8:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Girls in grades 1-4 can have a blast at day camps designed just for them. Party with historical characters, create crafts and hear stories of the past. Each day is different. The fee is $35/day/child. Sign up at (630) 420-6010.