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player ready...One of 10 complementary Journey Stories programs, March 19’s Postcard Palooza at the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Romeoville Isle a la Cache Museum includes a hands-on activity and a chance to view a display organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.
“We are going to set out all the supplies and blank postcards. I’m going to be there talking about the history of postcards,” said Jenna Krukowski, a Forest Preserve District of Will County interpretive naturalist.
“Families, kids and adults are going to have an opportunity to create postcards and share some memories.
“It’s a really good opportunity to process everything they’ve seen at the preserve and the museum.”
Journey Stories, which opened Feb. 1 and continues to April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, was brought to the museum through funding by The Nature Foundation of Will County and features interactive opportunities.
The exhibition includes Western expansion and Native American displacement, Black migration from the Deep South, and transportation technology developments.
“They cover a broad history,” said Krukowski about the seven Smithsonian posters.
“I as well as colleagues here did additional research and highlight specific county topics. People are brushing up on things they already knew or forgot about, or they’re learning about things they never knew.”
Museum staffers added panels including information about Louis Jolliet and the Rev. Jacques Marquette’s 1673 expedition, which is marking its 350th anniversary, and the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which opened in 1848 and is marking its 175th anniversary.
“This exhibit talks about how people have moved, whether willingly or unwillingly since this country began,” said Krukowski of Oak Lawn.
“We got out props and real artifacts to give an idea of what people brought with them or what they had to take. We all have personal journey stories. A lot of these are told through objects.
“Some of our favorites are vintage postcards from Joliet — your typical greetings and a few of the local landmarks. Postcards are one of the iconic souvenirs (and) a great conversation starter.”
Other Journey Stories programs
Beaver’s Journey from 1 to 2 p.m. April 2 at the museum focuses on the fur trade and the ecosystem. Registration (ages 5 or older) is required by March 31.
History at Home: Canal Era from 6 to 7 p.m. April 11 is a Zoom webinar. Registration (ages 13 or older) is required.
Joliet Iron Works Tour from 2 to 3:30 p.m. April 15 explores the former industrial plant site on Columbia Street, east of Illinois 53/Scott Street. Registration (ages 16 or older) is required by April 13.
Bike and Brake for History from 9 to 11:30 a.m. April 29 meets outside the Gaylord Building, 200 W. 8th St., Lockport, to ride down the Gaylord Donnelley Trail. Registration (ages 12 or older) is required by April 26.
Journey Stories: Postcard Palooza
When: noon-3 p.m. March 19
Where: Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E. Romeo Road (135th Street), east of Illinois 53, Romeoville
Admission: free
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Information: 815-886-1467; reconnectwithnature.org
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.