Hastert to kick off Civil War exhibit in Wheaton
Dennis Hastert, the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will be addressing an audience once again on Sunday. But his topic will relate mostly to his life before politics.
A former history and government teacher at Yorkville High School, Hastert will kick off the opening of a Civil War exhibit at the Wheaton Center for History, where he is a member of its hall of fame.
The exhibit is called, “War of the Rebellion: On and Off the Battlefield,”
Visitors to the museum will feel like they have gone back in time to 1861, with the 2,000-square-foot exhibit bringing scenes from the war to life.
“We made it interactive,” said Alberta Adamson, president and CEO of the history center, “starting with a life-size camp scene with a six-man tent.”
Costumed interpreters will re-enact stories about people and events. Documents and artifacts such as photographs, clothing, medals and weapons will help show what life was like for the soldiers who fought in the war as well as those on the homefront. Hundreds of transcribed letters from soldiers will provide insight into their lives.
The exhibit also features soldiers from Wheaton, bringing the focus to the community.
“We highlight the soldiers from Wheaton, such as Captain Henry W. Chester,” Adamson said. “We have a major collection from his two grandchildren.”
For instance, the center has a nine-foot cavalry campaign map that was hand-drawn by Chester.
Men from Wheaton, including Marcellus Jones, Merritt Mott, Royal T. Morgan, E.S. Kelley, Frank Drummond, Herbert Cooley, Solomon Jewell, Judge Thomas Drummond and Wheaton College students are brought to visitors attention throughout the exhibit.
More than 130 men from DuPage County served in the 8th Illinois Cavalry.
Some of the Wheaton College students were leaders of the U.S. Colored Troops, and there is a section of the exhibit with slavery and abolition movement memorabilia as well.
The exhibit is located on the 2nd floor of the history center, 315 W. Front Street. The center is a privately funded nonprofit museum that relies on donations and fees, However, for the open house any donation will be accepted in place of the usual $7 admission price. Reservations for the open house are also appreciated, call (630) 871-6601 or email info@wheatonhistory.com
if you go
What: Dennis Hastert speaks at opening of Civil War exhibit
When: 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 31
Where: Wheaton Center for History, 315 W. Front St.
Cost: Any donation will replace admission fee
Info: wheatonhistory.org