Grayslake Historical Society Displays 'Apron Ties' to the Past

The community is invited to view a unique exhibit at the Grayslake Heritage Center with real 'Ties to the Past.'

The Grayslake Historical Society and the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum have developed a unique exhibit in the museum tracing the history of Grayslake and family activities in the village throughout the years by displaying a variety of aprons used commercially, industrially and individually in Grayslake. Aprons: Ties to the Past, is a limited exhibit that uses occupational and individual aprons to tell the stories of people who were part of Grayslake's history. The exhibit runs through April 30 in the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum, 164 Hawley St., in downtown Grayslake. The museum is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and during downtown community events. Highlights of the exhibit include a …

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All Aboard! at the Grayslake Historical Society

Learn about the trains that have traveled through Grayslake and across Lake County.

Grayslake Historical Society Program Chair Terry Norton will present Trains of Grayslake and Lake County on Saturday, January 12 at 2 p.m. at the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum.  This engaging lecture features more than 70 photographs taken by Norton and plenty of local railroad lore.  Visitors can explore the exhibition, All Aboard!  A History of Railroads in Grayslake, before and after the lecture.  The Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum is located at 164 Hawley Street in the heart of downtown Grayslake. The event is free and open to the public. -Contributed by Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum

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Holiday Open House at Heritage Center Sunday

Visit Santa and see his vintage sleigh at the Holiday Open House at the Grayslake Heritage Center on Sunday.

The Grayslake Historical Society will host a special Holiday Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum in downtown Grayslake. Visitors will have the opportunity to talk to Santa, view a vintage sleigh, enjoy holiday treats, listen to music of the season and participate in children’s crafts.  The event will also mark the opening of a new exhibition, Aprons: Ties to the Past, a limited exhibition that uses occupational aprons to tell the stories of people who were part of Grayslake’s history. A variety of aprons used in family activities throughout the years contribute to this unique exhibition.  Click here for more information or call the museum at (847) 543-1745. Submitted by the Grayslake …

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From the Grayslake Historical Society Archives: Grays Lake

The Grayslake Historical Society gives Patch a look at the rich history of Grays Lake.

With the change of seasons twice each year, Grays Lake in the fall is transformed from a summer-fun recreation outlet to a winter paradise for hearty cold weather souls. In the spring, the landscape returns to the hazy, lazy days of summer for the many residents who live in homes surrounding the lake. William M. Gray came from Allegany County, New York, some time before 1840 and purchased the land along the south shore of the then unnamed lake. He purchased two quarter sections of land. Glacial lake Grays Lake is located just north of Route 120 and is entirely within the Village of Grayslake. It is an oval shaped, 80-acre glacial lake with a maximum depth of 20 feet, an average depth of 5.7 feet and a lake volume of approximately 449.8 ace…

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Angela Sykora

9:10 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012

Thanks for the clarifications Bill. This story was submitted to us by the historical society.   more ›

New Events Planned for Grayslake Heritage Center

Visit the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum Saturday for a program about the California Zephyr. Stop by on Nov. 14 when two Grayslake High School students present a program on the Chicago Stockyards and the Prohibition Era.

The Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum has two new programs planned. California Zephyr Railroad enthusiasts won't want to miss a nostalgic program about the California Zephyr told with vintage images and music at 2 p.m. Sat. Nov. 10 at the museum, located at 164 Hawley St., Grayslake. The program "Silver Memories," which was created by Jim Popson and Mike Schaefer, editor of Passenger Train Journal, explores the historic Chicago to California train with vintage images and music.  Student Presentation At the Grayslake Historical Society's next monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Wed. Nov. 14, Grayslake High School students Jim Glass and Corey Pearson will present a program on their History Fair projects. Glass will discuss his project on the …

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From The Grayslake Historical Society Archives: 'The Tin Lizzie'

The Grayslake Historical Society gives Patch a look at the history of the "Tin Lizzie," a 1923 Model T Ford flatbed truck.

Another popular attraction in the Annex of the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum is a 1923 Model T Ford flatbed truck. The black, four-cylinder truck, nicknamed Old Liz, is still operable, but on a limited basis. It was a common sight several years ago in area parades with its Grayslake Feed Sales sign. During the years the DeMeyer family from the feed company modified and maintained the vehicle. Originally, the truck had to be hand-cranked to start, but that has been modified to an electrical starting system. There are three pedals on the floor that operate the transmission system. One is for reverse and the other two are for low forward and high forward. The open-air vehicle has glass windows on the windshield, which can be cranked open…

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Grayslake's Railroad History to be Presented at New Heritage Center Exhibit

Two railway systems were prominent players in the development of Grayslake in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Learn the history at a new exhibit at the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum Saturday.

All Aboard: A History of Railroads in Grayslake, will be presented from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Grayslake Heritage Center & Museum at 164 Hawley St. The new exhibit explores the role of the iron horse in the creation of Grayslake and its importance to local businesses and residents. The railroads provided an economical and efficient means to transport agricultural, commercial and industrial products to and from the community as well as providing convenient transportation to passengers to and from Grayslake to jobs and recreation. Two railway systems were prominent players in the development of Grayslake in the late 1800s and early 1900s: The Wisconsin Central Railway, later to become the Soo Line; and the Milwaukee Road…

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From the Grayslake Historical Society Archives: Railroads in Grayslake

The Grayslake Historical Society gives Patch a look at the history of railroads in Grayslake, including Wisconsin Central Railway, which later became the Soo Line.

Two railway systems were prominent players in the development of Grayslake in the late 1800s and early 1900s: The Wisconsin Central Railway, later to become the Soo Line; and the Milwaukee Road, originally named the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway. The railroads provided an economical and efficient means to transport agricultural, commercial and industrial products to and from the community as well as providing convenient transportation to passengers to and from Grayslake to jobs and recreation. An exhibition about the history of the railroad in Grayslake will open in the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum on Oct. 13. All Aboard: A History of Railroads in Grayslake explores the role of the iron horse in the creation of Grayslake …

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Take the Grayslake Historical Society's Cemetery Walk this Afternoon

The annual Cemetery Walk will be held today, Sunday, Sept. 30, at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Grayslake Historical Society Cemetery Walk Sunday

History will come alive at the Grayslake Historical Society's annual Cemetery Walk Sept. 30.