Author to Present Program on Eastland Disaster

Nearly 800 Western Electric employees and their families died in July, 1915 when the SS Eastland rolled into the Chicago River. Learn about this tragic cruise-gone-wrong in “The Eastland Disaster” from 7-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 10 in the Rasmussen North Room of the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg. Author Ted Wachholz will provide an overview of a festive summer day that became a horrific tragedy for 22 families. Death, heroism, cowardice, greed and scandal all play a role in this historic, real-life drama.

Wachholz is the executive director of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society. Through his work with the society and in association with the Chicago Historical Society, Wachholz combines captivating images with compelling narrative taken from firsthand accounts from families of survivors, victims, and others directly affected by the Eastland Disaster.

Registration is required for this free program. To register, call (847) 923-3347 or stop by the library's Information/Magazines Desk on the second floor.