2001-06 RHS Newsletter – JUNE – JULY, 2001

This article details the impact of the Wisconsin lobe of the Laurentide Ice Sheet on the Chicago region's geography around 14,500 years ago. It explains how the glacier carved the Lake Michigan basin and deposited a "bowlder belt" or "fieldstones" along the Blue Island ridge. These stones, left behind as the ice melted, were a nuisance for farming but useful for early pioneers building foundations and marking roads. The Ridge Historical Society asks readers to share information and photos of any large remnant boulders or underground streams on their properties to help document local history.

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Registrar Harold T. Wolff discusses "still banks," which are non-mechanical coin banks, contrasting them with mechanical ones. He highlights the notable collection of the late I. Andrew Moore, former president of Beverly Bank, who co-authored a book on the subject. While RHS did not acquire Moore's main collection, it does possess a small assortment of still banks tied to local institutions. Notable items include a book-shaped bank from Morgan Park Trust and Savings Bank, several early Beverly State Savings Bank barrel-shaped banks, and a Chicago Tribune delivery wagon bank.

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The May 7 Board Notes record discussions on essential repairs needed for Driscoll House, including roofing and foundation work, for which a $50,000 grant application is being prepared. Treasurer Bill Sandstrom reported on current funds and endowment usage. Positive news included over $800 raised by a Holocaust Program and a donation from local author Joe Oswald. Furthermore, the board adjusted pricing for history packets and scheduled a docent meeting. The notes also mention RHS's contribution to a new Historic Illinois website and address rumors concerning a city plan for a new police station on 111th Street that might threaten the Edna White Memorial Garden.

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Using a fictional anecdote about a family finding the RHS closed during open hours, this article highlights the critical shortage of volunteer docents. The society's main community outreach relies on keeping the Driscoll House accessible, and current staffing gaps have led to unexpected closures. RHS is seeking volunteers from its membership to commit just three hours a month on Thursdays or Sundays. The article emphasizes that docent duty is engaging, as volunteers interact with curious visitors, and comprehensive training is provided to ensure they can confidently share local history.

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As part of developing the Underground Railroad segment for its forthcoming Pioneer Exhibit, the Ridge Historical Society plans to collaborate with the International Society of Sons & Daughters of Slave Ancestry. This partnering organization, headquartered on 95th Street, specializes in African-American genealogy and currently hosts an exhibit of former slaves' photographs and histories at the Woodson Library. The collaboration aims to showcase the diverse experiences of enslaved people, moving beyond a single narrative.

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The Ridge Historical Society announces the removal of a major component of its World War II exhibit—a large parachute draped from the ceiling of the Driscoll House living room—to prepare space for a new Pioneer Exhibit. The parachute, along with a blouse made from its material, was loaned by Joan Schnecker, a wartime U.S. Army nurse who served in the Pacific theater, and her veteran husband. The RHS staff and board expressed deep gratitude to the Schneckers and other veterans who contributed memorabilia to make the WW II exhibit a success.

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The final page features an archival photograph estimated to date back to the 1860s. The image displays the Bingle House, a structure built in 1842 that formerly occupied the land where Mt. Olivet Cemetery is now located, just north of 115th Street. The caption notes that the property was later owned by William Morgan and holds historical significance as the site of the very first wedding in the area.

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