Make history come to life by using your local historical society as a resource. What better way to get your kids interested in history than by introducing them to the neighborhood they live in.
Your local historical society usually offers a treasure trove of information. As an example, the Ridge Historical Society serves the local Beverly, Morgan Park areas and regularly offers changing exhibits and lectures on local subjects. Examples of recent exhibits included: Life on the Ridge during the Civil War and Marshall Field’s and Christmas.
At the Ridge Historical Society they can also help you learn about your home. If you have an architecturally unique house (Chicago has a lot of these) they may be able to tell you who built it and what their style was. They can also tell you about other houses that this architect built, which make for a good walking tour when spring fever hits.
Beyond information, you can get to know the volunteers at the society and perhaps have your children volunteer as well. This is a great way to have them interact with new people and help a worthy cause right in your neighborhood.
For older children, you might be able to help research a new exhibit that the society is looking to putting on. Most of these groups work with a minimal staff and are happy to have extra hands whenever they are offered. A creative student could even help design the exhibit.
Unless you have a history buff at home, history can be a tough sell. By bringing history right home to your neighborhood you can get everyone excited and make it come alive.
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