04/04/2011 – History comes to life at Naper Settlement, an outdoor history museum, located in downtown Naperville at 523 S. Webster St. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, Naper Settlement has 30 historic structures ranging from a rustic log cabin to an elegant Victorian mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open year round, for more information about hours and admission prices, visit www.napersettlement.museum or call (630) 420-6010.

May events at Naper Settlement

Community Heritage Month

During the month of May, Naper Settlement, along with its community partners, recognizes Community Heritage Month in Naperville, an opportunity to learn about the organizations, events and activities that contribute to our heritage. Watch for information on special programs, events and heritage-themed activities held throughout the month.

Weed Ladies Floral Designers open every weekend in May

The Weed Ladies Floral Designers will be open every weekend in May to celebrate Community Heritage Month. The Weed Ladies have been creating silk and dried floral designs since 1969. Visit them in their beautifully decorated workshop in the historic Daniels House at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Sales from the arrangements support education programs and preservation at Naper Settlement. For information about custom arrangements and open hours, call (630) 305-5289.

Home Run Inn fundraiser

Hit a home run and support the Naperville Heritage Society/Naper Settlement during this fundraiser from 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, held in partnership with one of Chicagolands legendary restaurants, Home Run Inn at 1280 W. Boughton Road in Bolingbrook. Print out the flyer available on Naper Settlements website, www.napersettlement.museum, present it when paying for your order, and 20% of all proceeds will go directly to the Naperville Heritage Society/Naper Settlement. Either dine in or carry out. For more information, call Home Run Inn at (630) 679-9966.

Blacksmithing 101

Learn the art of blacksmithing with an introduction to safety, tools and the forge in this two-session class to be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, May 7 and 14 in the Blacksmith Shop at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Participants will learn hammer techniques while making an iron hook. For ages 18 to adult. Fee is $150 for two sessions, which includes materials. Registration required, call (630) 420-6010.

Naperville Cemetery Walk

During the Naperville Cemetery Walk to be held from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, May 7, learn about 19th century mourning customs and superstitions from Naper Settlements Museum Educators. Then take a walk through the Naperville Cemetery to take a glimpse back in time. Learn about some of the early settlers of Naperville, see their headstones and explore the different symbols and their meanings used in the creation of these unique artifacts and, in some cases, works of art. For ages teen to adult. (Some historical material may be too graphic for younger audiences.) The walk begins at the Naper Settlement Visitor Center, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Tickets are $10 per person; $8 for Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining members.

Streaming History Walking Tour

This guided stroll of Napervilles Riverwalk begins at the site of Napervilles co-founder, John Napers estate, and will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 8. Other points of interest include the site of the Naperville Ice Cream Factory, the site of Joseph Napers Mill, and former quarry workers homes. The tour ends at the Naperville Fire Department Memorial on Jefferson Avenue. All ages welcome. The tour begins at the Naper Settlement visitor parking lot at the corner of Webster Street and Porter Avenue. Tickets are $12 per person; $10 for Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining members.

History Speaks Lecture Series: Nellie Bly, Daredevil Reporter

Lynn Rymarz portrays Nellie Bly, newspaper reporter, for whom nothing was too daring or impossible to scoop a story during this presentation of the History Speaks Lecture Series to be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 8 at Naper Settlements Century Memorial Chapel, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Hear about her life lessons and some of her stories, such as how she got herself arrested, danced as a chorus girl, rode an elephant and raced around the world. Advance tickets are $5/Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining Members and students, $6/non-member; at the door, tickets are $7/adults, $6/youth or student. Visit www.napersettlement.museum or call (630) 420-6010 for tickets.

Colonial Café fundraiser

During this Colonial Cares fundraiser to be held from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 12 at Colonial Café, 8 W. Gartner Road, Naperville, tell your server that you are supporting the Naperville Heritage Society/Naper Settlement. The receipt will be dropped into a box at the cash register and the Naperville Heritage Society will receive a portion of the sales. For more information, call Colonial Café at (630) 420-7722.

Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Archives

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Naper Settlements archives from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, which begins at the Visitor Center, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Learn how the museum curators care for and store archival items like newspapers, photographs, letters and books, and learn how you can help preserve the archival items you have in your home. In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, participants will have a rare opportunity to view Civil War era diaries, letters and photographs housed in the museum collection. For ages teen to adult. Tickets are $10 per person; $8 Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining members.

A Celebration of Craft Beer

Calling all beer enthusiasts, beginners and hard core geeks  get a hop on American Craft Beer Week as Naper Settlement debuts the first in a series of Liquid History events. During A Celebration of Craft Beer from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 14, stroll the grounds munching appetizers and tasting craft beers from six exceptional breweries – Summit, Bells, BridgePort, Rogue, Samuel Smith and Lindemans. Guests will have the unique opportunity to learn about each specialty beer and the story of the breweries directly from the representatives; plus the history of Napervilles Stenger Brewery. Must be age 21 and over to attend. Advance reservations recommended. Limited tickets at the door. Advance tickets are $40 per person; $45 at the door; $25 Designated Driver tickets. Call (630) 420-6010 for tickets.

Town & Gown Walking Tour

This walking tour of the campus and neighborhood surrounding North Central College will explore the history and architecture while highlighting buildings, instructors and alumni of the college as it celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. The tour will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15 and begins on the west side of Old Main, North Central College, 30 N. Brainard St., Naperville. All ages welcome. Tickets are $12 per person; $10 Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining members.

Evolution of Fishing in America

Dan Basore has one of the largest collections of historic fishing tackle in the country, which explores the evolution of fishing spanning more than 5,000 years. Join Dan from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19 at Naper Settlements Visitor Center, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. After the presentation, he will be available to evaluate and appraise fishing tackle brought in by participants. For all ages. Tickets are $5 per person, free for Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining members. Registration recommended.

Civil War Days

Commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War during Civil War Days to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. The entire museum campus is transformed into a Civil War encampment where visitors can meet famous figures of the past and experience firsthand a turbulent time period in our nation’s history. Hundreds of re-enactors participate, staging a battle complete with cannons and infantry. Walk the grounds and talk to President Abraham Lincoln, famous generals and characters that bring the past to life. The battle begins at 2:30 p.m. both days. Admission is $12 adults, $11 seniors and $8 youth (4-17). Naperville Heritage Society members and Season Pass Holders receive free admission. Discounted advance admission tickets are available at Naper Settlement, Andersons Bookshop, Country Curtains, Just Ducky and Oswalds Pharmacy. For more information, visit www.napersettlement.museum or call (630) 420-6010.

Whole Foods Market 5% Day

Please shop from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 at Whole Foods Market Naperville, 2607 W. 75th St., Naperville, when 5% of all net sales between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. will be donated to the Naperville Heritage Society/Naper Settlement. For more information, call Whole Foods Market Naperville at (630) 579-7700.

Blue Star Museums

Naper Settlement is proud to participate in Blue Star Museums, an initiative of Blue Star Families, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and more than 900 museums in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These museums are offering military families free admission this summer from Memorial Day, May 30 through Labor Day, Sept. 5. All active duty service members (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), National Guard and Reserve, and up to five immediate family members, including spouse, child or sibling, can participate. Naper Settlement joins other local museums including the DuPage Childrens Museum, the First Division Museum at Cantigny, the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art and the Morton Arboretum. For a full list of participating museums, visit www.bluestarfam.org/drupal/participatingmuseums or www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

Media Contact:
Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
77 Riverside Drive
Elgin, IL 60120
(800) 217-5362 or (847) 695-7540

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