Calendar 2007 (click here for a printable PDF)
JANUARY
Sunday, January 14
HISTORY SPEAKS LECTURE SERIES - Benjamin Franklin >
Friday and Saturday, January 12 & 13
BRIDAL SHOWCASEPlanning a wedding? Make this complex job easier with opportunities for one-on-one discussions with 35 vendors at this up-close and personal showcase. Friday 5:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Admission is free.
FEBRUARY
Sunday, February 11
HISTORY SPEAKS LECTURE SERIES - The Underground Railroad >
Saturday and Sunday, February 17 & 18
BITTERSWEET HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE
From hot chocolate to candy bars, see how this sweet treat has changed over the years and learn about the fascinating history of chocolate. Collect recipes and sample a chocolate treat.
Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m.
$8 adults, $7 seniors, $5.50 youth. Naperville Heritage Society members and Season Pass Holders receive free admission.
MARCH
Saturday and Sunday, March 10 & 11
MAPLE SUGARING DAYSMaple sugaring was an integral part of life in the 1800s. During late winter and early spring great fluctuations in temperatures with freezing nights, followed by warm days, allows the sap to rise from the tree roots. Watch the costumed villagers tap the trees, boil down the sap and demonstrate how the sap was turned into real maple syrup and maple sugar. Try a tasty shaved ice maple treat and visit the historic buildings to collect recipes featuring maple flavoring.
Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1‑4 p.m.
$8 adults, $7 seniors, $5.50. Naperville Heritage Society members and Season Pass Holders receive free admission.
Sunday, March 11
HISTORY SPEAKS LECTURE SERIES - Walt Whitman >
Monday, March 19
2007 Branmor's Wine Dinner
The 2007 Wine Dinner, which benefits the Naperville Heritage Society, will be held Monday, March 19, at Branmor's American Grill, 300 Veterans Parkway in Bolingbrook. The evening begins with a reception at 6:15 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person inclusive ($70 per person being tax deductible). Please make your reservation now by calling Chris Birck at 630.291.0548.
Blair Fox, winemaker of the Fess Parker Winery, will be attending the dinner. Fess Parker is perhaps best known for his portrayals of frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, which impacted millions of young viewers in the late 1950s and '60s. In fact, the Museum Store carries the hats made famous by those television shows.
The dinner will honor past presidents of the Naperville Heritage Society and also its newest president, Chris Birck, who will begin his new role on May 1.
Click here for PDF invitation and menu >
APRIL
Saturday and Sunday, April 7 & 8
CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESSLearn the secrets of Victorian ladies and how they kept house. All day.
Included with admission.Thursday, April 12
GRAND TOUR OF THE MARTIN MITCHELL MANSION
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the results of the $2.8 million restoration of the Martin Mitchell Mansion. Hear about the decisions and processes that brought this treasure back to its full glory. Call 630.420.6010 for reservations. 2:30-3:15 p.m. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
$8/person, $6/NHSS member.Saturday and Sunday, April 14 & 15
19TH CENTURY HYGIENELearn how personal hygiene practices have changed over the years. All day.
Included with admission.Sunday, April 15
HISTORY SPEAKS LECTURE SERIES - Images of the Roaring Twenties >
Saturday and Sunday, April 21 & 22
VICTORIAN BEAUTY PRODUCTSLearn about the beauty products used by 19th century women. Sat. 11:30-noon and 2-2:30 p.m., Sun. 2-2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.Monday, April 23
SULLIVAN'S STEAKHOUSE-NAPERVILLE WINE DINNERJoin us for an evening of fine wines featuring Whitehall Lane Winery at Sullivan's Steakhouse at 244 S. Main St., Naperville to benefit the Naperville Heritage Society. Sullivan's is located on the site of the original Pre-Emption House, once considered the oldest operating hotel west of the Alleghenies. Today, the recreated Pre-Emption House Visitor Center is the gateway to Naper Settlement. See the menu. >
6 p.m. $175 per person. Call 630.420.6104 for reservations.Friday and Saturday, April 27 & 28
WEED LADIES SPRING SHOW AND SALEThe spring show features creative seasonal arrangements and dried bouquets.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission to the sale is free.Saturday and Sunday, April 28 & 29
VICTORIAN BEAUTY PRODUCTSLearn about the beauty products used by 19th century women. Sat. 11:30-noon and 2-2:30 p.m., Sun. 2-2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.
MAY
Saturday and Sunday, May 5 & 6
LANGUAGE OF THE FLOWERHave you ever said it with flowers? Find out how the Victorians expressed their sentiments through the language of the flowers. All day.
Included with admission.Sunday, May 13
HISTORY SPEAKS LECTURE SERIES - Civil War Generals >
Saturday and Sunday, May 12 & 13
SENDING JOHNNY OFF TO WARSee a display of sentimental keepsakes sent with soldiers by families and sweethearts. All day.
Included with admission.Saturday and Sunday, May 19 & 20
CIVIL WAR DAYSFamous figures roam the grounds as visitors experience firsthand a turbulent time period in our nation's history. The Blue and Gray clash once again. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. both days. $9 adults, $8 seniors, $6.5 youth (4-17)
Naperville Heritage Society members and Season Pass Holders receive free admission.
Click here to view the event.Saturday and Sunday, May 26 & 27
MOURNING CUSTOMSLearn about the mourning customs of the 19th century. Sat. 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.
JUNE
Saturday and Sunday, June 2 & 3
LOAD 'EM UPHelp load the moving van of the 19th century, the Conestoga wagon, for the trip west. 2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.Sunday, June 3
CEMETERY WALK
Visit Naperville's historic cemetery and learn about headstones, mourning customs and people from Naperville's past. Appropriate for all ages. 3:30-4:30 p.m.
$8/personAll Summer Long - Stating June 11
CAMP NAPER!Join us for another fun season of Camp Naper, where history is fun and kids love learning about life in the 1800s. Three themes, Pioneer Life, Victorian Life and School Life, offer something for every interest. Learn more >
Saturday and Sunday, June 9 & 10
CHORE TIME!From dawn till dusk - those chores needed to be done. Learn how kid's daily chores in the 1800s are different from today. All day.
Included with admission.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 15, 16 & 17
NAPER DAYSCome explore Naperville's rich heritage. Celebrate the best Naperville has to offer by enjoying the Taste of Naperville™, featuring a variety of cuisine prepared and served by the city's best restaurants; musical entertainment, bed races, kids crafts, games, petting zoo and much more. Visit www.naperdays.org.
Saturday and Sunday, June 23 & 24
GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORSSee how stack fences were built without nails. 2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.
JULY
Saturday and Sunday, July 7 & 8
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS AND FLAGS OF THE NATIONFind out how people of the 19th century celebrated our nation's birthday. Appropriate flags of the 19th century will be displayed in the buildings all month long. All day. Included with admission.
Saturday and Sunday, July 14 & 15
NAPERVILLE WOMAN'S CLUB ART FAIRMore than 100 artists will display their work at this 47th annual juried event.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days
Admission is free.Saturday and Sunday, July 21 & 22
TEMPERANCE RALLYDown with demon rum! Join the Temperance Rally on the steps of the Martin Mitchell Mansion. 2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.Saturday, July 28
NAPERVILLE SUMMER NIGHTS CONCERTPack a picnic, grab a blanket and go. That's all you need to do to enjoy the latest musical event to hit the Naperville scene. Relax under the open sky, mingle with your friends and enjoy great musical sounds from rising stars. Picnic dinners are allowed/encouraged. No outside beverages allowed. Beer, wine, soft drinks and food will be available for purchase. 6-10 p.m. For more information visit www.napervillesummernights.com.
Admission charge.
AUGUST
Saturday and Sunday, August 4 & 5
VICTORIAN TABLE ETIQUETTECome and learn the rare art of Victorian Table Etiquette. You will learn how to set a proper table, how to use silverware and understand the different courses in the meal. Sat. 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.Saturday and Sunday, August 11 & 12
VICTORIAN STYLE DANCINGTired of the same old modern dance? Come and enjoy some of the dances of the Victorian period. You will get a chance to dance the simple and popular reel to the stylish waltz. Sat. 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.Saturday and Sunday, August 18 & 19
LANGUAGE OF THE FANLearn the art of flirting with a fan and how holding a fan different ways meant different things to a suitor. Sat. 11:45 a.m., 1:45 and 3:15 p.m., Sun. 2:15 and 3:15 p.m.
Included with admission.Saturday and Sunday, August 25 & 26
COURTING PRACTICESLearn how gentlemen wooed their ladies in the 19th century. Smooth moves never go out of style! Sat. 11:45 a.m., 1:45 and 3:15 p.m., Sun. 2:15 and 3:15 p.m.
Included with admission.
SEPTEMBER
Saturday and Sunday, September 1 & 2
LAST FLING ANTIQUE AUTO AND CRAFT SHOW
Antique auto show will be on Sunday the 2nd only. Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Free weekend admission. Sponsored by the Naperville Jaycees.
Saturday and Sunday, September 8 & 9
BACK TO SCHOOLKids can visit the Copenhagen Schoolhouse to sign the ledger for fall enrollment using a steel-tipped pen and ink. Afterwards, they can participate in a first person schoolhouse presentation. Saturday at 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Included with admission.
Friday and Saturday, September 14 & 15
NAPERVILLE WINE FESTIVALWine tastings, food and wine seminars, displays from local vendors, cooking demonstrations and more. Friday, 4-10 p.m., Saturday 3-10 p.m. $20 advance tickets, $25 at the door. Presented by InPlay Events, Inc. Visit www.napervillewinefestival.com for more information.
Saturday and Sunday, September 22 & 23
LET'S MAKE CIDERThe apples are ripe and it's time to store them for winter. See an old-fashioned cider press and collect recipes for apple cider and vinegar. Saturday at 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.Saturday and Sunday, September 29 & 30
HARVEST POW WOWNative American dancing, cultural demonstrations, children's games and crafts, special presentations and more. Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Adults $8, Seniors (62+) and children (6-12) $5 Call 773.585.1744 or visit www.midwestsoarring.org. Presented by Midwest SOARRING Foundation.
OCTOBER
Saturday and Sunday, October 6 & 7
NOW WE'RE COOKINGThere were no microwaves in the 19th century- come see how the early settlers prepared their meals! Saturday at 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 11, 12, 13 & 14
WEED LADIES FALL SHOW AND SALEThe fall show features creative seasonal arrangements and dried bouquets. Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m.
Admission to the sale is free.Saturday, October 13
HOUSE WALK$25 in advance, $30 at the door.
Saturday and Sunday, October 13 & 14
HOT STUFFHeating homes in the 19th century was a bit trickier than it is today. Learn how to calculate the amount of firewood needed to heat the home and how to starting the fire with flint and steel. Saturday at 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.Saturday and Sunday, October 20 & 21
COOKING AND CRAFTING WITH CORNHelp husk corn, remove kernels and grind the corn into cornmeal. We'll show how the husks can be made into corn husk dolls and visitors can take instructions home. Saturday at 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Included with admission.Friday and Saturday, October 26 & 27
ALL HALLOWS EVE - A 19th Century HalloweenWatch out for historic characters that bring the dark side of the 19th century to life. Tomb raiders, Dracula, the headless horseman and other creatures of the night haunt the grounds. 6:30-10 p.m.
$9/person Not recommended for young children. Parental guidance suggested.
Click here to view the event. >
NOVEMBER
Friday & Saturday, November 2 & 3
WEED LADIES WINTER SHOW AND SALEThe early winter show features creative seasonal and holiday arrangements and accessories. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission to the sale is free.
DECEMBER
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 14, 15 & 16
CHRISTMAS MEMORIES
Step back in time to a picture-perfect 19th century holiday with musical entertainment, beautifully decorated buildings, refreshments and more. Friday and Saturday 6:30-9:30 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m.
$9 adults, $8 seniors, $6.50 youth (4-17) Naperville Heritage Society members and Season Pass Holders receive free admission.
All Events and Programs Subject to Change Without Notice. Special Event Rates Vary
Naperville Heritage Society is a not-for-profit organization.
Copyright 2005 Naperville Heritage Society. All rights reserved.
Accredited by the American Association of Museums.