Sixty years ago, the Oswego area, still overwhelmingly rural, was in the midst of its first major population growth spurt since the settlement era. Those in attendance can find out what it has been like to live through the community’s profound changes since that time when the Little White School Museum, 72 Polk Street, Oswego (Jackson at Polk) and the Oswegoland Heritage Association present “Talking Oswego History with Roger and Dennis” at noon Saturday, April 13.
Oswego natives, Museum director Roger Matile and resident Dennis Figgins will informally chat with audience members about the remarkable changes the community has undergone—and is still undergoing—when it changed from a sleepy farm village into one of the fastest growing areas in Illinois. In fact, fueled by the Oswego area’s explosive population and commercial growth, Kendall County became the fastest growing county in the nation for several years during the early 2000s.
Matile was editor of the community’s weekly newspaper, the Ledger-Sentinel, during much of that period of explosive growth, while Figgins has deep roots with the village’s business community.
Participants are urged to bring their local historical questions, and be prepared to participate in the discussion and discover some of the community’s most fascinating and entertaining history.
Admission is $5, with proceeds going towards maintaining and preserving the Museum’s continually growing collection of Oswego photographs, archival documents, and historical artifacts.
To pre-register, and walk-ins the day of the program are welcome, call the Oswegoland Park District at 630-554-1010.
The Little White School Museum is a joint project of the not-for-profit Oswegoland Heritage Association and the park district. Regular museum hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p..m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Mondays, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the Museum is closed to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Museum admission is free.
—Little White School Museum