Park Forest Local History Collection and Archive

The Park Forest Local History Collection and Archive is once again fully available to researchers and the public.  In January 2012, PFHS found a space at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Room 2 of the former school at 227 Monee Road, Park Forest, IL  60466.  Park Forest Public Library and PFHS split the rent, and Village of Park Forest helped with a $1,000 grant to preserve Park Forest History.  The collection is open to the public Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and liberally by appointment.  Contact us, here, to visit the collection.  We need volunteers!  Read about the jobs we need done, here.

Archivist, Jane Nicoll has been settling in the collection and writing grants in an attempt to get supplies and equipment.  We aren't entirely settled in, yet, but we are well on our way. We still have some shelving to get put together, so boxes are not all settled on the shelves.

The Park Forest Local History Files are still at the Park Forest Public Library at the back of the Adult Reading Room.  Ask at the reference desk for the key, sign in, and follow the rules about using pencils and glvoes.  Also at the library are the circulating copies of the "OH! Park Forest" Oral History Transcripts, two History Packet boxes, scrapbooks from ACB and early School District 163, and many catalogued books on Park Forest, or which contain references to Park Forest. 

It is always a good idea to start your search by contacting Jane Nicoll, PFHS Archivist.  The library does not have a Local History librarian, or anyone really specialized in searching the collection.  Jane can get you pointed in the right direction.  Contact her by clicking here.

Visit some of our other articles on materials available, listed under Archives.  We also just had an upgrade in the website, and it will take awhile to get everything caught up and where we would like it to appear on pages.  Bear with us!  There is a lot going on!