“The Brothers’ War” Hits Close to Home

“It’s easy to get caught up in the romanticism and forget how bloody this battle really was,” Grayslake Heritage Center Executive Director Dave Oberg said during a special program “The Brothers’ War” at the Grayslake Heritage Center that commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

Wearing a reproduction Union artillery uniform Oberg shared the stories of men who lived on the land that would become Grayslake, sharing both tragic and humorous narratives and songs from during the time they served with units such as the 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and the 17th Illinois Calvary.

As a special presentation on April 13,  “The Brothers’ War” was especially significant to the Grayslake community because of the impact it had on local families.

“During the war, roughly one in four households in the Grayslake area had at least one family member in military service. This being such a small community, the soldiers from our area who enlisted served alongside brothers, cousins, in-laws, neighbors and friends from back home. One in five of the Civil War soldiers from the Grayslake area never returned home,” being killed in action or dying from disease, Oberg said. He said that of those that did return to the Grayslake area, 17 percent were wounded and one in four were discharged for disability. 

“Everyone was affected in some way by the war and this community would never be the same,” he said.

Oberg said about 60 people attended and he hopes to reprise the program at the center and as an outreach program for community organizations.

Terry Norton, member of the , said she came to see Oberg perform and said the large turnout was due to the program’s topic.

“I think it’s the local interest, so many local people were in the Civil War,” said Norton.

Oberg said his inspiration to vividly portray these men came from wanting to tell real people’s stories.

“The men I talked about were husbands and fathers, relatives and neighbors, friends and suitors. I wanted to honor their service and sacrifice by discussing them as they were, when possible, in their own words or in the words of eyewitnesses to history. 

For Grayslake Historical Society Member Joanne Lawrenck the program was especially moving. “It’s very dear to my heart,” she said, while standing next to a photo of her great-grandfather who was a surgeon in the war.

Attendee Mary Hook said she was glad she came out. “It was very informative. He made it a fun experience,” she said about Oberg.

Evonne and Robert D’Agostino said they are always looking for fun, new things to experience in the Grayslake community.

“The programs here are very interesting, we enjoy the museum,” said Evonne about the Heritage Center.

“Absolutely very enjoyable,” she said about the night’s program.

The center also boasts a Civil War lobby display, which visitors were invited to view before and after the program. Also open to visitors was the center’s mainstay exhibit “Embracing Change: The Growth of Grayslake” and “Leave Nothing on the Field: A Brief History of Sports in Grayslake.”

“The Brothers’ War” was part of the Grayslake Historical Society’s ongoing lecture series, which is free to the public.

Charlotte Renehan, president of the Grayslake Historical Society, said it’s the organization’s duty to help residents be aware of historical events. “Part of our mission is to educate,” she said. She said the program also brought in some new faces. “We’re trying to have a variety of programs to meet the interests of a variety of people,” she said.

Linda Lowes, a descendent of the historic Grayslake-based Harvey family, said she enjoyed the program and believes it is important to remember the past.

“It’s very important to remember why we’re here. The Civil War was monumental in history. You can learn from the past if you pay attention,” she said.

Lowes will be speaking at the Grayslake Historical Society’s next program, which will be about the Harvey family, who have both a street and subdivision named in their honor. This event will take place May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the center.

John Linehan, a Northern Illinois student and intern at the center, helped to prepare the Civil War lobby display and program. “You can tell a larger story with local artifacts, that’s what museums are all about, presenting information people can make meaning from,” he said about the significance of the program and items on display. 

The Grayslake Historical Society and volunteer Laurel Casey also made the program and display possible.

For more information contact Dave Oberg at 847-543-1745 or the at 847-223-7663.

The Grayslake Heritage Center is located at 164 Hawley Street, next to the Grayslake Fire Department, and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. and by appointment.