Third Annual Lake County History Symposium: Immigrant Stories
“Immigrant Stories” is the theme of the Lake County History Symposium, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home in Mettawa.
The day will feature a series of presentations including ones on the Irish experience in Lake County, the Scots of Lake Forest, Polish pioneers, and Libertyville’s own Frederick Grabbe and Abana Spring Water. Frederick Grabbe emigrated in 1845 from the Kingdom of Hanover at the age of three. Frederick would go on to serve in the Civil War, pioneer the floating apiary, and bring acclaim to Libertyville through his Abana Spring Water bottling company.
For a full schedule, visit LCFPD.org/education/events.
Frederick Grabbe and Abana Spring Water
Podcast
Frederick Grabbe emigrated in 1845 from the Kingdom of Hanover at the age of three. Frederick would go on to serve in the Civil War, pioneer the floating apiary, and bring acclaim to Libertyville through his Abana Spring Water bottling company.
Jenny Barry, Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society.
http://www.lmhistory.org/
Recorded April 30, 2017 at the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home
Polish Pioneers
Podcast
While researching his Polish ancestry, James Lodesky discovered that his great-great grandfather, Franciszek Wlodecki, was one of 234 Polish soldiers exiled to America in 1834. A number of the Polish exiles settled in Illinois and Lake County in the 1830s and 1840s. This is the story of their exile and settlement in a new world, and the presenter’s journey to uncover his family’s history.
James Lodesky, Author
Recorded April 30, 2017 at the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home
The Irish Experience
Podcast
The experiences of a select group of families from the “Irish Hills” of Newport Township will be the focus of this presentation on Irish immigration in the 1840s and 1850s. The origins of the Lake County’s numerous Irish place names will be included.
Diana Dretske, Curator, Lake County Discovery Museum.
https://www.lcfpd.org/museum/
Recorded April 30, 2017 at the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home
Boots on the Ground in Lake County
Podcast
The William Boot family came to Lake County from England in 1841, hoping to live out their American dream. But their experiences also included hardship and tragedy: the loss of children, husbands, and a brutal murder.
Ray Syverson & Julie Vollbrecht, Ela Historical Society
https://www.elahistoricalsociety.com/home
Recorded April 30, 2017 at the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home
The Scots of Lake Forest
Podcast
Lake Forest often brings to mind big houses with expansive lawns, but not many know the role that Scottish people played in the very founding of the town. A total of almost one thousand native born Scots lived or worked in Lake Forest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They helped build Lake Forest Hospital, Lake Forest High School, and were influential in companies such as Carson Pirie & Scott and Quaker Oats.
David Forlow, Board Member, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society.
https://lflbhistory.org/
Recorded April 30, 2017 at the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home