About Us
The Calumet City Historical Society has been a chartered organization since 1975. The Society, as stated in the by-laws, is to bring together those interested in the history of the greater Calumet City, Illinois area; to collect and preserve materials of history, art, and industry; and to establish and maintain a historical collection. This organization is an Illinois Not For Profit Corporation and is a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization under the tax code.
The Calumet City Historical Society offers educational programs free of charge throughout the year, supported by membership and donations. The monthly meetings and programs have become very well-attended and enjoyable. Several annual fundraisers include our Post Holiday Luncheon, Heritage Day, and an Annual Raffle.
The Society is raising funds through donations and grants to restore our History Center, formerly the Calumet City Public Library, built in 1951-54. The building was a library until 1986, and then became the Calumet City Cultural Center with a few uses until the early 2000s when the Historical Society was the sole user. In 2016, the Society officially took on exclusive use of the building, responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. Since 2016, we have installed a new heating & cooling system, upgraded the plumbing including a new hot water system, remodeled the existing bathroom, installed the internet, new signage, masonry maintenance (preserving the original brick and stone), repointing the parapet walls, minor roof repairs, improve the landscaping, and most recently restoring many of the original plaster finishes and using historically-researched 1950s colors to create an atmosphere of the original main rooms of the library. Our other goals are window restoration, further roof repair, providing a kitchen counter as a workspace, electrical upgrades, more painting, and historically repointing the limestone. Our volunteers have been working on the museum and the archives. We continue replenishing the building fund through donations and grants for future projects.
The Calumet City Historical Society offers educational programs free of charge throughout the year, supported by membership and donations. The monthly meetings and programs have become very well-attended and enjoyable. Several annual fundraisers include our Post Holiday Luncheon, Heritage Day, and an Annual Raffle.
The Society is raising funds through donations and grants to restore our History Center, formerly the Calumet City Public Library, built in 1951-54. The building was a library until 1986, and then became the Calumet City Cultural Center with a few uses until the early 2000s when the Historical Society was the sole user. In 2016, the Society officially took on exclusive use of the building, responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. Since 2016, we have installed a new heating & cooling system, upgraded the plumbing including a new hot water system, remodeled the existing bathroom, installed the internet, new signage, masonry maintenance (preserving the original brick and stone), repointing the parapet walls, minor roof repairs, improve the landscaping, and most recently restoring many of the original plaster finishes and using historically-researched 1950s colors to create an atmosphere of the original main rooms of the library. Our other goals are window restoration, further roof repair, providing a kitchen counter as a workspace, electrical upgrades, more painting, and historically repointing the limestone. Our volunteers have been working on the museum and the archives. We continue replenishing the building fund through donations and grants for future projects.
Membership
Individual - $15.00 per year (any person, ages 18 or older).
Household - $20.00 per year (for two or more adults living at the same address).
Business* - $25.00 per year (any business, organization, or institution).
*All Business Memberships receive recognition on the website and newsletter.
New--You can pay by Zelle, please email [email protected] with all the information needed on the form (or scan a completed form), and the contact for Zelle will be sent.
Household - $20.00 per year (for two or more adults living at the same address).
Business* - $25.00 per year (any business, organization, or institution).
*All Business Memberships receive recognition on the website and newsletter.
New--You can pay by Zelle, please email [email protected] with all the information needed on the form (or scan a completed form), and the contact for Zelle will be sent.
Thank you for your support!
Board of Directors 2025:
Mike Wolski, President; Sue Warner, Vice President; Fred Schrum, Treasurer; Deborah Helminski, Secretary;
George French, Carol Schrum Muenich, and Joe Plovich, Directors.
Mike Wolski, President; Sue Warner, Vice President; Fred Schrum, Treasurer; Deborah Helminski, Secretary;
George French, Carol Schrum Muenich, and Joe Plovich, Directors.
Special thanks to our Calumet City Business Sponsors 2025.
Please help patronize them...
Bob's Body Shop - 339 State Street, Calumet City, Ill., 708-891-0336
Calumet City Cavaliers - 664 Hirsch Avenue, Calumet City, Ill., 708-829-6304
Calumet City Plumbing Co. - 281 River Oaks Drive, Calumet City, Ill., 708-868-0074
Calumet Memorial American Legion Post 330 - 950 Legion Drive, Calumet City, Ill., 708-862-7422
City of Calumet City Treasurer Gerald Tarka, 204 Pulaski Road, Calumet City, Ill.
Chris Cuts Pet Grooming - Calumet City, Ill., 708-891-5406
Chris Martin - State Farm - 852 Burnham Avenue, Calumet City, Ill., 708-862-3737
Ehinger Brothers VFW Post 8141 Auxiliary - 664 Hirsch Avenue, Calumet City, Ill., 708-653-6882
John Kasperek CPA Inc. Co. - 1471 Ring Road, Calumet City, Ill., 708-862-2262
Smart Move Home Comfort Solutions, Inc. - 2800 Bernice Road #17, Lansing, Ill., 708-474-2500
SouthCookExplore.com - Lemont, Ill.
Calumet City Cavaliers - 664 Hirsch Avenue, Calumet City, Ill., 708-829-6304
Calumet City Plumbing Co. - 281 River Oaks Drive, Calumet City, Ill., 708-868-0074
Calumet Memorial American Legion Post 330 - 950 Legion Drive, Calumet City, Ill., 708-862-7422
City of Calumet City Treasurer Gerald Tarka, 204 Pulaski Road, Calumet City, Ill.
Chris Cuts Pet Grooming - Calumet City, Ill., 708-891-5406
Chris Martin - State Farm - 852 Burnham Avenue, Calumet City, Ill., 708-862-3737
Ehinger Brothers VFW Post 8141 Auxiliary - 664 Hirsch Avenue, Calumet City, Ill., 708-653-6882
John Kasperek CPA Inc. Co. - 1471 Ring Road, Calumet City, Ill., 708-862-2262
Smart Move Home Comfort Solutions, Inc. - 2800 Bernice Road #17, Lansing, Ill., 708-474-2500
SouthCookExplore.com - Lemont, Ill.
