                            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. 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.
 We had a wonderful event in partnership with the Eastland Historical Society at Casa Humilde! Guests received the newly updated 2025 edition of our guidebook to Eastland graves in Forest Park. Following a powerful presentation by the Eastland Historical Society, we traveled to Section 8 of Concordia Cemetery to visit several notable graves. In total, 133 Eastland victims are buried across Forest Park's cemeteries—Concordia, Forest Home, and Jewish Waldheim. Huge thank you to the Eastland Historical Society for their compelling presentation, to Casa Humilde for generously hosting us and providing AV support, and to Amy Binns-Calvey for her invaluable research in updating the guidebook. We also extend our gratitude to former Executive Director Diane Grah, whose work on the 100th anniversary edition in 2015 laid the foundation for this project.
 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.
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
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. Reception
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.  What a day! Our 7th Annual Garden Walk on July 12 was a huge success—one of our best yet! With 10 stunning gardens on the map and a surprise bonus garden added by a next-door neighbor inspired to join in, the day was full of beauty, creativity, and community spirit. We’re thrilled to share that we raised over $5,000 to support the work of the Historical Society of Forest Park! A big thank you to our amazing garden hosts, hardworking volunteers, and generous sponsors. Special thanks to Casa Humilde for throwing a fantastic after party, and to Michelle Melin-Rogovin for hosting our Host, Volunteer, and Member Pre-Party. We also thank the Village of Forest Park for opening up 7410 Madison to house our pop-up museum and booklet pop-up, it was the perfect addition to the day. Congratulations to Becca and Kevin Smorze, this year’s Outstanding Garden winners! And thank you to all our raffle donors for helping us end the day with fun and great prizes. We’re already looking forward to next year!
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Congratulations to our Outstanding Garden winners
Becca & Kevin Smorze
Thank you to our volunteers
Photobooth Photos
Thank you to our sponsors
Michelle Melin-Rogovin
AutoBarn
Kyra Pych Real Estate
The AutoBarn Import
Lauren Burjan Real Estate
Begat Genealogist Research Services
U3 Coffee
Cool Truck Treats
Davis Tree Care
Kiwanis of Forest Park
Mari Mortensen
Ferrara
April Baker Homes
More Photos
We had an amazing time at this year’s German Fest, blessed with perfect weather and a fantastic crowd. One of the highlights for us at the Historical Society of Forest Park was sharing a recent and very special acquisition: a 16mm film of vignettes from the Altenheim, dating back to the 1930s.
It was incredible to watch nearly 100-year-old footage taken right on the very grounds where German Fest was happening. Seeing familiar buildings and scenes come to life on film offered a powerful reminder of Forest Park’s deep roots and enduring stories.
We were thrilled to meet so many friendly faces, longtime residents, new neighbors, and visitors curious about our town’s history. Conversations covered everything from the early days of the Altenheim to local landmarks, favorite Forest Park memories, and upcoming events.
There’s nothing quite like bringing our history out into the community. We’re so grateful for the chance to connect with people in person and share the stories that make Forest Park such a special place.
It was incredible to watch nearly 100-year-old footage taken right on the very grounds where German Fest was happening. Seeing familiar buildings and scenes come to life on film offered a powerful reminder of Forest Park’s deep roots and enduring stories.
We were thrilled to meet so many friendly faces, longtime residents, new neighbors, and visitors curious about our town’s history. Conversations covered everything from the early days of the Altenheim to local landmarks, favorite Forest Park memories, and upcoming events.
There’s nothing quite like bringing our history out into the community. We’re so grateful for the chance to connect with people in person and share the stories that make Forest Park such a special place.
Amy Binns-Calvey and Alexis Ellers led engaging tours of Forest Home Cemetery for the 7th grade class from Forest Park Middle School. It was a pleasure to introduce the students to the rich and fascinating local history preserved within the cemetery grounds. Through stories of influential figures, historic movements, and Forest Park’s unique past, the students gained a deeper appreciation for their community’s heritage.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to inspire curiosity and connect the next generation with the stories that shaped their hometown—and we sincerely hope this becomes an annual tradition!
We’re grateful for the opportunity to inspire curiosity and connect the next generation with the stories that shaped their hometown—and we sincerely hope this becomes an annual tradition!
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