Welcome back to the Fiber Arts Club! To celebrate the 250th anniversary of America, local fabric shop owner Rachael of MAD Fabric + Studio will present on the history of feed sacks and how they were repurposed. A staple in rural economic sewing, feed sacks are cotton bags used throughout the mid-19th century until the […]
Did you know that most of the board games you love were created in the United States? Kick off a year-long celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary with games including Monopoly, Life, and Ticket to Ride. Drop in for a quick game or spend two hours exploring different games. This program is intended for teens in […]
Interested in the JFK assassination records? What about federal records about UFOs? The National Archives needs help transcribing original documents to make them easier for the public to access. Learn how to decipher cursive and create keyword tags in a short presentation before getting hands-on experience in contributing to the transcription process. Creating a login […]
As 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Ellwood House Museum and DeKalb County History Center are proud to announce the monthly Brown Bag Lunch series will focus on commemorating this historic anniversary. The series will kick off on February 5 with Bill Nicklas who will lay a foundation for the rest […]
Burl Ives was and is an iconic figure in the annals of American Folk Music and he got his start in the little Illinois town of Newton. Ives went on to become one of the world’s most well-known folk singers and actors, but never lost his hometown ‘folksie’ touch. He recorded more than 100 albums […]
Jack Benny is regarded as one of the top comedians in American history, shining in vaudeville, radio, television, and film, while making a huge impact upon the sitcom genre. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a special “Hometowns to Hollywood” tribute to Jack Benny, as she discusses his career, legacy, and early years in […]
The DeKalb County History Center’s second Brown Bag Lunch program for 2026, scheduled for noon on Thursday, March 5, located at the DeKalb County History Center, 1730 North Main Street, will offer a free presentation on Dr. Letitia Westgate, the first woman doctor, surgeon, chemist, and architect to design, build, and manage a hospital in […]
The story of Jacob Haish, widely known for his role in the early innovation of barbed wire, reaches far beyond this achievement. An immigrant from Germany who arrived in the United States as a young boy, Haish built a successful career through barbed wire and other manufacturing ventures, including gasoline engines. His success allowed him […]
Continuing through 2026, the DeKalb Moose Lodge will be offering all veterans a free breakfast on the third Sunday of each month.
There are different types of regional candies across the US. Learn about certain candies; and more importantly taste them! At the end of the tasting, you’ll have the opportunity to vote and decide which candy you liked the best. This program is for tweens and teens in grades 6-12. Registration is not required, but the […]
During the 1940s, male professional baseball players left the field to lend a hand in WW2 war efforts. To keep the game alive, Chicago Cubs’ owner Philip K. Wrigley and others started the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) which lasted from 1943-1954. Rockford’s own team, The Peaches, were one of the best teams in […]
