​HSFP had a great night at the Holiday Walk sharing roasted chestnuts and a postcard all about their history. Chestnuts were once a holiday staple in the U.S., easy to find, easy to roast, and a cozy street-corner treat. The tradition faded after a blight wiped out nearly all American chestnut trees in the early 1900s, taking the old ritual with it.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to try one, grab a postcard, and chat with us.

The Historical Society of Forest Park celebrated its 50th Anniversary on November 16, 2025, at BABS Comedy Club with a night that blended history, community, and plenty of fun. We began by taking care of annual business, including adding new board member Mary Bromet. Founding member Mark Ross was also in attendance, adding a special note of history to the evening.

A major highlight of the celebration was honoring Gerald “Jerry” Lordan with the Dr. Orland Award for his decades of leadership and service. Jerry’s contributions to Forest Park are extraordinary and deeply felt across generations. A dedicated educator from 1973–2025, he has shaped countless lives inside and outside the classroom. His leadership and service extend widely: longtime HSFP board member and past president, Boy Scout leader, Assistant to the President at Fenwick High School, Kiwanis Club member and past president, Forest Park Eagles Club member, and Garage Art Committee member. His commitment, kindness, and steady presence have strengthened both the Historical Society and the community it serves.

Guests enjoyed delicious pizza from Jimmy’s and cake from Forest Park Bakery, and the excitement continued with a special raffle organized by Kristen Lyons—52 tickets and 52 winners, keeping the celebration lively and full of surprises. Afterward, the celebration continued with a lively Forest Park–themed round of Chronology, an original game created by HSFP Board Member Jill Wagner and printed by Printing Plus. A home version will be available soon!

This year marked the 5th annual Invasion of the Scarecrows, a collaboration between the Historical Society of Forest Park and the Arts Alliance of Forest Park. The Historical Society of Forest Park and the Arts Alliance of Forest Park thank every participant in this year’s Scarecrow Invasion. Your creativity and enthusiasm brought the village to life once again. 
Participants and visitors brought remarkable creativity to this year’s displays, and we were thrilled to announce the winners

There’s something magical about gathering among the monuments and whispering trees of Forest Home Cemetery on a crisp October evening. The air is cool, the light fades early, and the night seems alive with mystery, the perfect setting for our annual Spooky Stories and Poetry at the Mausoleum.


This year’s event brought chills, laughter, and a sense of community as readers shared haunting tales and eerie verses that echoed through the historic mausoleum. The flicker of candlelight and the rustle of autumn leaves. 


A heartfelt thank-you to our talented readers — Amy and Margaret, Matt, and Rachel — who brought their words to life and kept the audience spellbound. Each performance captured a different shade of “spooky,” from ghostly encounters to true stories of murders buried in Forest Home.


We’re also deeply grateful to our partners, the Forest Park Public Library and the Arts Alliance of Forest Park, for helping make this event possible. And a special thank-you to Forest Home Cemetery for allowing us to experience this unique and historic space in such a creative way.

On September 26, we held our second Movie at the Mausoleum at Forest Home Cemetery, and it was another wonderful evening for the community. This year’s film was Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, shown just outside the historic Lehmann Mausoleum. Guests gathered with blankets and chairs to enjoy a classic film in one of Forest Park’s most atmospheric settings.
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The event was a partnership between the Forest Park Public Library, the Park District of Forest Park, and the Historical Society of Forest Park. Big thanks to Cool Truck Treats for supplying the generator and offering movie snacks and sweets for sale throughout the night.
We’re grateful to Forest Home Cemetery for hosting us and allowing this unique event to take place in such a beautiful, historic space. Special thanks also go to Crystal and Kilian, whose luminary setup made the evening feel extra magical. Their lights lined the paths and added a gentle glow that perfectly fit the setting.
Thanks as well to everyone who helped us work through our technical difficulties and keep the evening running smoothly. Movie at the Mausoleum has quickly become a community favorite, and we look forward to continuing the tradition next year.

Following the Wall of Renown reception, the celebration continued at the Village Council Meeting, where Mayor Rory Hoskins presented an official proclamation honoring the Forest Park Historical Society on its 50th Anniversary. The proclamation recognized the Society’s five decades of work preserving and sharing the unique history of Forest Park through education, outreach, and a variety of beloved community events.
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Mayor Hoskins proclaimed 2025 as the “Year of the Forest Park Historical Society” in the Village of Forest Park, encouraging all residents to join in celebrating this milestone and to continue supporting the Society’s mission to preserve the stories that define the community for future generations.

The Historical Society of Forest Park is proud to announce the long-anticipated update to the Wall of Renown, located in the lower level of Forest Park Village Hall. This is the first time the wall has been updated since 1998.
Established in 1984, the Wall of Renown recognizes Forest Park residents who have made lasting contributions to the community through public service, volunteerism, leadership, and cultural impact. Each inductee is honored with a photograph and brief biography, preserving their story for future generations.
We are excited to welcome a new group of honorees whose work has shaped the spirit and success of Forest Park:
2025 Inductees to the Wall of Renown

• Isaac Beal
• Joe and Sandy Byrnes
• Anthony Calderone
• Robert Dowd
• Karen Dylewski
• Edith Heilemann
• Geung Goo (Michael) Lee
• Pat Malone
• James A. Nadeau
• Dr. Phyllis M. Orland
• Mark Rogovin
• Jackie Schulz

These individuals have demonstrated exceptional dedication to Forest Park, and their inclusion on the Wall of Renown reflects the deep and lasting impact they’ve had on our community.

Thank you to Public Works for their amazing job installing the new Wall of Renown and the Village of Forest Park for their support and giving us this space.

The Wall of Renown reception was a wonderful evening with about 100 people in attendance. Four of our new inductees were able to join us, along with many of their family members, while those who could not attend or who have passed away were well-represented by friends and loved ones. Guests enjoyed cookies from Twisted Cookie and beverages provided by Smokey Joel. The Forest Park Public Works team did an outstanding job hanging the frames, and Mark Boroughf printed and installed the text  Wall of Renown letter. It was a fitting celebration of this year’s inductees and their contributions to the community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Jewish Waldheim—Stories and Memories meet and greet! It was wonderful to see so many friends, both new and familiar, come together in person to connect, kibitz, and share stories. 

A heartfelt thank you to Abby Schmelling for bringing us together and Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion for so generously hosting us  your hospitality made the event truly special. We are especially grateful to Amy Binns-Calvey for sharing her research on Waldheim Cemetery, which added so much meaning and insight to our gathering.