A Day That Will Live in Infamy — Kane County Remembers Dec. 7
There are any number of ways to remember the American heroes who gave their lives on Dec. 7, 1941, and to honor the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Here are a few ideas for your consideration:
See ‘Heroes On Deck’
At the First Division Museum at nearby Cantigny, “Heroes on Deck” will be presented on Pearl Harbor Day 2016.
The documentary sheds light on a little-known training operation conducted by the U.S. Navy on Lake Michigan during World War II. Between 1942 and 1945, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Navy trained nearly 15,000 pilots, including 41st President George H.W. Bush, to land and take off from two makeshift aircraft carriers in the safety of landlocked Lake Michigan.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A cash bar will be available along with food for purchase. Coffee is complimentary.
Local History Museums
Dec. 7 is a good day to visit one of Kane County’s many history museums. A list of several, including website and contact information, is presented below. Not all the museums have exhibits for Dec. 7 but most or all have World War II memorabilia that make that period come alive for residents of Kane County.
Pay Silent Respect at Local Icons
Visit the historic Kane County Courthouse on Third Street in Geneva and pay your silent respects. Near the cannons out front are the names of Kane County residents who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country. Perhaps a relative of yours is listed there.
Nearby is the Kane County Veterans Memorial here at the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave. in Geneva.
Visit the WWI Traveling Exhibit
You can learn about the precursor to WWII at the Ella Johnson Memorial Library in Hampshire, which is hosting the World War I Traveling Exhibition.
People of all ages and history buffs throughout Kane County are invited to see the exhibition that commemorates the 100th anniversary of the nation’s entry into that war. The library is located at 109 S. State St. in Hampshire.
Learn More About Kane County History
About the Batavia History Museum
Through the cooperation of the Batavia Park District and the Batavia Historical Society, the Depot Museum contains artifacts collected since 1960. In keeping with its mission, one of the ongoing projects of the society is the plaquing of buildings, dating back 100 years or more. The Depot Museum is located at 155 Houston St. For more information, visit the Batavia Depot Museum website.
About the St. Charles History Museum
The St. Charles History Museum features permanent and rotating temporary exhibits, the Colonial Anderson Research Room, photo and research archives, administrative offices and repository for the museum’s collection. The museum is located in the 1928 McCornack Oil Company building at 215 East Main St. The building served St. Charles as a gas station from 1928 until 1990. After renovations, the museum opened to the public in May 2001. Originally, the museum was located in the St. Charles Municipal Building. For the latest news and museum happenings, visit the St. Charles History Museum website and Facebook page.
About the Geneva History Museum
The Geneva History Museum is located at 113 S. Third St., and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 am to 4 p.m. The cost of admission is $2, which includes the Feature Gallery, “Who is Sadie Cooksey?” and the Main Gallery, “Geneva’s Story” exhibit. Admission is free for museum members. The Geneva History Museum is an independent not for profit organization not supported by tax dollars. For more information, visit GenevaHistoryMuseum.org or call 630-232-4951.
About the Elgin History Museum
The Elgin History Museum is housed in an 1856 landmark building known as Old Main that was once part of the Elgin Academy campus. The building was designed in the Greek Revival style. The museum has a staff that helps welcome visitors to the museum, educates the public about Elgin history and assists with research inquiries. The Elgin Area Historical Society, which was founded in 1961, is a thriving organization that operates within the museum. The society has a board of directors with a mission that is driven to preserve and educate the community about Elgin history. For more information, visit the elginhistory.org website.
About the Aurora Historical Society
The Aurora Historical Society gives the past a future by collecting, preserving, interpreting and presenting the rich, diverse history of Aurora and the surrounding area. Museums include:
- The William Tanner House Museum located on the corner of Oak and Cedar, two blocks west of Route 31 and two blocks north of New York Street. Built in 1857, this Italianate-style house was the home to prominent merchant William Tanner and his family. You can get directions to the William Tanner House Museum here.
- The David L. Pierce Art and History Center is located at 20 E. Downer Place, in downtown Aurora on the island. Owned and maintained by the city of Aurora, the center contains the main offices and exhibition galleries of the Historical Society and the Aurora Public Art Commission. The center is also the location of the Museum Store and Gift Shop.
- The Aurora History Historical Society Archives are located at 305 Cedar St., next to the William Tanner House. It includes documentary materials dating from the 1830s to the present, including letters, legal documents, books, and maps.
