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As kids played, parents showed them natural history exhibits and families went hiking, the Cook County Forest Preserve District celebrated the 90th anniversary Sunday of its Trailside Museum of Natural History Sunday in River Forest.

The building the museum occupies was built in 1876, only five years after the Great Chicago Fire, as a mansion and school. It became the first headquarters for the Cook County Forest Preserves, but the growing district needed more space. In 1932, the district offices moved and the building became the museum, housing exhibits to educate residents about many aspects of nature, including that found right outside in the river and forest. Many of the displays show information about native plants and animals in the forest preserves.

The Nature Center is located at 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest. Entrance is free; hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October; closed Fridays. For more information, 708-366-6530 or https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/trailside-museum-natural-history/

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle speaks during Sunday's 90th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, May 1, 2022. (Brian O'Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle speaks during Sunday’s 90th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, May 1, 2022. (Brian O’Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
Three-year-old Leni Winer and her mother Briana Winer in the Trailside Museum of Natural History Sunday. The Cook County Forest Preserve District was holding a 90th Anniversary Celebration for Trailside and Annual Spring Festival, May 1, 2022. (Brian O'Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
Three-year-old Leni Winer and her mother Briana Winer in the Trailside Museum of Natural History Sunday. The Cook County Forest Preserve District was holding a 90th Anniversary Celebration for Trailside and Annual Spring Festival, May 1, 2022. (Brian O’Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
One-year-old Nikolai Billich and his father Matt Billich paint a fish during Sunday's 90th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, May 1, 2022. (Brian O'Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
One-year-old Nikolai Billich and his father Matt Billich paint a fish during Sunday’s 90th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, May 1, 2022. (Brian O’Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
The Cook County Forest Preserve District held the 90th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History Sunday, May 1, 2022. (Brian O'Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
The Cook County Forest Preserve District held the 90th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History Sunday, May 1, 2022. (Brian O’Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
Four-year-old Owen Tobis gets inverted as he ascends up a tree on a rope line during Sunday's 90th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, May 1, 2022. (Brian O'Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
Four-year-old Owen Tobis gets inverted as he ascends up a tree on a rope line during Sunday’s 90th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, May 1, 2022. (Brian O’Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
The Cook County Forest Preserves held the 90th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History Sunday, May 1, 2022. (Brian O'Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)
The Cook County Forest Preserves held the 90th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History Sunday, May 1, 2022. (Brian O’Mahoney for the Pioneer Press)