About Us
The Calumet City Historical Society has been a chartered organization since 1975. Its purpose, 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. The 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. A few annual fundraisers are held, such as 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 the library until 1986 and then 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, 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, painting, and historically repointing the limestone. Our volunteers have been working on the museum and the archives. We continue to replenish the building fund, thru 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. A few annual fundraisers are held, such as 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 the library until 1986 and then 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, 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, painting, and historically repointing the limestone. Our volunteers have been working on the museum and the archives. We continue to replenish the building fund, thru donations and grants, for future projects.
Membership
Individual - $15.00 per year (any person, age 18 or older).
Household - $20.00 per year (2 or more members at the same address).
Business* - $25.00 per year (any business, organization, or institution).
*All Business Memberships receive acknowledgment on the website and newsletter.
New--You can pay by Zelle, please email calcityhistory@aol.com with all the information needed on the form, and the contact info will be sent.
Household - $20.00 per year (2 or more members at the same address).
Business* - $25.00 per year (any business, organization, or institution).
*All Business Memberships receive acknowledgment on the website and newsletter.
New--You can pay by Zelle, please email calcityhistory@aol.com with all the information needed on the form, and the contact info will be sent.
2023 Board of Directors
Mike Wolski - President
Susan Warner - Vice President
Marilyn Schultz - Secretary
Louis Krawczyk - Treasurer
Joseph Plovich, Fred Schrum, Paula Swanstrom - Directors
Susan Warner - Vice President
Marilyn Schultz - Secretary
Louis Krawczyk - Treasurer
Joseph Plovich, Fred Schrum, Paula Swanstrom - Directors
Special thanks to our Calumet City Business Sponsors 2022-2023.
Please help patronize them...
American Legion Calumet Memorial Post 330 - 950 Legion Drive
Ann's Bath & Body Boutique - 17946 Hickory Street, Lansing, Ill.
Bob's Body Shop - 339 State Street
Calumet City Cavaliers - 664 Hirsch Avenue
Calumet City Plumbing - 281 River Oaks Drive
Chris' Pet Grooming - Calumet City, Ill.
Dyer Historical Society - One Town Square, Dyer, Ind.
Ehinger Brothers VFW Post 8141 Auxilliary - 664 Hirsch Avenue
Grelecki's Automotive - 148 156th Street
Illiana Christian - Dyer, Ind.
John Kasperek CPA Inc. Co. - 1471 Ring Road
SouthCookExplore.com - Lemont, Ill.
