Come celebrate this new exhibition, launching our special lecture series and special events that celebrate the 50th anniversary of the critically acclaimed residential arts community: the Ragdale Foundation. Register for ... Read more
Join us for a Sunday Brunch as we explore the history and significance of Gospel Music & the importance of Lake Forest in Black American history. First Baptist Church of ... Read more
A part of our Cornerstones of History lecture series. Laurie Stein, Deputy Director and Head of Curation at the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, takes a close look at ... Read more
Join us for a historical and architectural walking tour of Lake Forest Cemetery led by executive director Carol Summerfield as we explore one of Lake Forest's most captivating and historic landmarks! ... Read more
A part of our Cornerstones of History lecture series. Carol Summerfield, executive director at the History Center. This lecture looks at the unusual role that Frances Perkins, a Lake Forester, ... Read more
Join Ragdale and The History Center for a panel talk lead by Ragdale executive director, Paul Sacaridiz. Featuring artists from the Ragdale artist residence program as they discuss their artistic process ... Read more
A part of our Cornerstones of History lecture series. From the 1950s through the year 2000, life in the United States transformed significantly. From the expansion of the interstate system and the explosion of car ownership, to the leap forward of computer technology that shifted the ecosystem of human communication and work, the past half-century ... Read more
As one of our valued patron sponsors, you make Local Legends possible, and this evening is our way of saying thank you. Your sponsorship directly enables this event and all of our programming throughout the year, allowing the History Center to continue its work of preserving and sharing our community's history. It is support like ... Read more
Local Legends 2026Celebrating The Voices That Shape UsFor 17 years, Local Legends has been one of the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff's most anticipated traditions. Each year, the event honors a remarkable individual whose work has left a lasting mark, and part of what makes it special is that you never quite know who ... Read more
A special Read with Ragdale – Short Stories Live Join us for a live reading of a compelling short story published in 1976 – the year of Ragdale’s founding as a non-profit organization – as we continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary. The story will be a surprise for attendees and will be read by ... Read more
In the 20th Century, a handful of Lake Forest residents changed the lifestyle of the rest of the United States. From the mimeograph to Nutrasweet, the innovations of A.B. Dick, General Robert E. Wood, the Searle family, Thomas Wilson left a lasting impact. Jim Phelps will share the stories of these business pioneers. Register Here
The final event in our Cornerstones of History lecture series. This finale will be a panel discussion of experts across a variety of fields who will look at where we are today and where the next half a century will take us. How will American life change? What is the next big thing coming our ... Read more