River Forest is a suburban village in Cook County, Illinois, adjacent to Chicago. It has a population of 11,717, and is home to Concordia University Chicago and Dominican University. The village is closely linked to the neighboring community of Oak Park. Here, you’ll find a variety of things to do and see.
Mills Park
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Bronx River Forest offers numerous scenic spots and recreational opportunities. The riverbank has been restored through various projects by NYC Parks, Bronx River Alliance and other groups. The park has boardwalks and trails, and a variety of habitats for wildlife. It’s a great place to enjoy a walk and observe nature in a relaxing environment.
Located just 11 miles west of Chicago, River Forest is home to beautiful architecture and lush natural beauty. The area features dense wooded areas and the Des Plaines River. It is also a residential community with a number of apartment rentals that are located along tree-lined streets.
Guests can also enjoy an outdoor adventure at the park’s Forest Adventure Experience. This adventure playground offers activities for children and adults alike. Among the many activities is a five-story Treetop Discovery Tower and a 425-foot zip line. The park is also home to the State Historic Site, which is consistently rated among the top ten gift shops in Dutchess County.
For families with children, a visit to Mills Park is the perfect way to get your family outdoors. The park features a picturesque walking path and stone benches and seats. A well-designed playground is a great way to spend a day with the whole family. The park also has a fun, educational activity center called Wonder Works. The children will have a blast learning new things while playing in this educational environment.
During spring and summer, woodland warblers are the most active and vocal. Fall migration is also a great time to see woodpeckers and sparrows. The park is also home to year-round resident birds such as the American goldfinch, pileated woodpecker, tufted titmouse and northern cardinal.
Wonder Works
Wonder Works is a non-profit corporation that is located in Oak Park, Illinois. It is the successor of the Children’s Museum of Oak Park. The museum is dedicated to the education of children from all ages. It offers a variety of exhibits and hands-on experiences. Visitors can learn about science, art, and nature.
The museum has recently undergone renovations to make it more accessible. There are now new floors and air conditioning. The museum has also installed sanitizing stations, and it has a separate lobby area. The museum is ready to continue operating as a museum and offers special programs for children of all ages.
During the winter, COVID-19 forced Wonder Works to close, but it reopened last month, and families and kids alike can now enjoy the children’s museum again. The museum held a big outdoor celebration to celebrate the reopening, and play sessions began the following day. The museum’s membership is $140 per year. Memberships can be purchased for groups or families. The museum also offers field trips and private parties for groups.
Wonder Works has a mission to ignite the creativity of young children and serve as a community leader. In addition, they will inspire children and their families to learn through play. Wonder Works originally opened in 1991, but in 1995, it was unable to renew the lease on the building and had to wait until 2001 to find a new location. Eventually, the museum opened in the current building on May 4, 2003.
Oak Park River Forest Museum
The Oak Park River Forest Museum is a newly opened historical museum dedicated to preserving the history of Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois. Housed in an 1898 firehouse, the museum has undergone extensive restoration to create an environmentally friendly building. It has an extensive collection of local artifacts, a public research center, and regular programs. The museum is owned and operated by the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, which was founded in 1968 with the goal of educating the community.
Opened in 2017, the Oak Park River Forest Museum is a great place to experience the history of Oak Park. Once a firehouse, the museum was transformed into a welcoming museum in 2017. The museum houses changing exhibits that focus on the history of the area. It also offers a hands-on Children’s Corner and a research center.
The museum is located in a historic firehouse, which was once known as Cicero Firehouse No.2. The restoration of the building was made possible thanks to donations from the community. The original Georgia-pine ceilings, walls, and floor tiles were uncovered, allowing visitors to see the building’s original beauty. The museum has exhibits on two floors, along with archival documents. There is also a docent on hand to answer questions about the area’s history and architecture. Visitors are encouraged to wear masks to protect their faces from dust.
The Historical Society
If you’re in the area and interested in history, the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest is a great place to visit. This organization was founded in 1968 with the intention of preserving and sharing the history of the area. Today, you can learn more about the local community at the museum, or take part in regular programs.
Each spring, the organization hosts a house walk. This year, the walk will focus on seven notable historic homes in River Forest. The homes are representative of the early development of the community. The society runs the Oak Park River Forest Museum. The houses are open to the public, and the group hopes to tell stories about each home they feature.
The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the area’s history. It is a one-stop shop for information about the area’s past. It also holds special events throughout the year, such as the annual house walk. House walks highlight the beautiful architecture of the area and the stories of the people who lived in them.
In 1880, the town of River Forest was incorporated as a result of a temperance movement. Local leaders felt threatened by saloonkeepers from Harlem, and the residents decided to incorporate the community. Though opponents questioned the legitimacy of the incorporation election, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the results. As a result, the local trustees were able to license two saloons in the town. The money earned from these businesses helped build the public library, waterworks, and telephone services.
On Saturday, June 8, the Historical Society of River Forest hosted its annual Heritage Walk. This walking tour highlighted seven historic homes in the 500, 600, and 700 block of Keystone and Thatcher avenues. Four of these houses were built before 1880.
Ernest Hemingway’s house
Located in Oak Park, Illinois, the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace is an historic Queen Anne home that is now a museum. The house is where the famous American author Ernest Hemingway lived for six years. It was built in the late 1890s and is a wonderful place to visit for anyone interested in the life and works of Hemingway.
The home is located at 339 N. Oak Park Ave., and was built by Hemingway’s grandfather. Originally a single-family home, the house has been altered to include an art studio and a museum. Today, it is a museum of Hemingway’s life. You can visit his childhood diary and see rare photos of his family. You can also see a breakup note from his first love.
The house was a family retreat where the Hemingways spent their summers. Hemingway’s father was a keen outdoorsman and taught his son to enjoy the outdoors. However, his father was a strict authoritarian and expected him to behave like a man. This pressure eventually led to Hemingway’s expulsion from the family cottage in 1920.
The house was the place where Hemingway began to write his famous novel, The Sun Also Rises. The author lived there for nearly two decades. While he spent his summers in Oak Park, he spent his winters in Paris with his new wife, Hadley Richardson.
Known for his love of nature, Hemingway’s house was also the site of two safaris in the African bush. In 1933, he visited Mombasa and the Serengeti. He also visited Africa in 1934 and 1955. After his divorce from Hadley, he married Pauline Pfeiffer. The couple then settled in Key West, Florida. During his last years, he wrote his last novel, A Farewell to Arms, which became a classic, receiving good reviews and the Nobel Prize for his writing.
