If you’re a history buff or just want to take a step back in time you’ll want to stop by the Tinley Park Historical Society located at 6727 174th St. from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 16 as they revisit the earliest days of Tinley Park during their annual Old Settlers Day Fair.
Volunteers and re-enactors will demonstrate what life was like long before the advent of modern conveniences. Watch a weaver create fabric on her loom, learn about farming and early food preparation or learn from a carpenter how his tools are used. You can visit with “Samuel Tinley” as he shares the history of Tinley Park or listen to a typical snake oil salesman as he peddles his products.
There will be antique quilts on display and live music of the period. There will also be a Civil War re-enactment as Tinley Park had several residents that were soldiers of that war.
Children can enjoy early period games and activities or learn penmanship with a quill pen and ink.
“There is something for everyone” said Pat Siemsen, secretary of the historical society “We want to give people the experience of what life was like when people first settled in this area.”
Pat and her husband, Ed, who is president of the historical society, are lifelong residents of Tinley Park with ancestors who were among this area’s earliest farmers.
“We really enjoy the kids’ reactions” Pat said. “There are so many things from the past that they haven’t seen before and they are so eager to learn about it all.”
You may have seen that the Landmark Chapel, which houses the historical society, has been undergoing some construction work over the last few weeks. The chapel, built in 1884, is having new siding put on to preserve both its structural and aesthetic integrity.
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In 1975, Tinley’s village board declared the Landmark Chapel the town’s first historical site with a resolution stating that “The Zion Lutheran Church is an integral part of our community and is symbolic of the spiritual strength and moral determination which the founders of our nation and community possess,” and they urged the citizens of Tinley Park to preserve it for posterity.
Today, the church is not only preserved but thriving as a wedding chapel and museum housing an ever-growing collection of items of historical significance to Tinley Park. Through the determined efforts of its volunteers and the generous donations by Tinley residents of their families’ histories, the museum continues to grow, filling in the picture of our past.
Since history is made every day the society not only preserves items from the past but also records life as it happens now to preserve the story of Tinley Park for generations to come.
The society wants to remind residents about their “Follow the Flag” program where residents take a village of Tinley Park flag with them when they travel to other states and countries and get a photo of themselves with it.
Since the program started in June our village flag has already traveled to Mexico, Italy, Australia, India, England, Ireland, Boston, Cooperstown, Utah, Colorado, Nashville, San Francisco and New York. The photos are then shared on the Tinley Park Historical Society Facebook page.
“It has been great to see so much community interest in the flag program” said Phil Pursley, who, along with fellow volunteer Mary Ann Marino, maintains the society’s Facebook page and website. “Its just plain fun.”
To reserve a flag or find out more about the historical society phone (708) 429-4210.
Julie Dekker is a freelance columnist