Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society aims to preserve, share history

The first time Jim Moran visited the Ansel B. Cook House, he was on a mission.

He was a second-grader in Libertyville and worked as a newspaper delivery boy. The local paper wrote a story stating that a murder may have taken place in the downtown Libertyville home decades before, so Moran wanted to investigate.

During a visit, he said, "I was looking for blood on the doorknobs. I was captivated."

While he didn't find any evidence of a murder, what Moran discovered was a love of local history. He now serves as the vice president and publicity coordinator for the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society, which maintains the Cook House.

The historical society formed in 1955. It basically started as "a bunch of folks in town that wanted to preserve local history," Moran said.

In the 1970s, the historical society moved to the Cook House, preserving it as a Victorian museum. The Cook House previously served as the home of the Cook Memorial Library and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"I've been going there since I was 8 or 9 years old and I never get sick of looking at things in there," Moran said. The museum is a treasure trove of Victorian decor and clothing, along with historical photos and documents.

The Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society aims to not only preserve local history but to also share that history with others. The historical society holds six meetings a year - three in the fall and three in the spring - and those meetings focus on a variety of topics.

In February, the meeting focused on what Libertyville was like 100 years ago. Jenny Barry, who serves as a local history librarian at the Cook Memorial Library and as a member of the historical society board, gave the presentation.

Barry said the idea came to her while she was scanning and preserving the William H. Appley business ledgers, which were purchased by Moran. She used those ledgers as a catalyst for her February presentation.

"I think it's very important to know what was here. The town has gone through so many changes just in my lifetime. It's a much different downtown today than it was when I was growing up," she said of the increase in businesses and restaurants. "It's interesting to know what was there before."

What's really interesting, Moran said, is the conversation that takes place after the presentations. People from all generations are afforded the opportunity to share their perspectives.

"You get to hear how different things were and how some things are still the same," he said.

For example, people have talked about how back in the day, the area of Winchester and Butterfield roads was considered to be in the middle of nowhere, he said.

"Now it's almost the center of the community," Moran said. Similarly, the area that is now Heather Ridge in Gurnee used to be a dairy farm, and the residents there considered themselves a part of Libertyville.

What hasn't changed, however, is the sense of community, Moran said.

"There's always been this pride in Libertyville and this great sense of community, and it's as strong today as it has ever been before," he said.

Residents are passionate about Libertyville's character, including its vibrant downtown.

"The character is what really sets Libertyville apart, and the character is our history," Moran said.

Barry enjoys the opportunity to research that history and share it with others. One recent morning, she was researching the Foulds factory and trying to determine if it was the same location as the old American Macaroni factory.

"The hunt is the detective work and I like being able to share what I find," Barry said.

Residents will have the chance to learn about the local connection to the women's suffrage movement and Japanese internment camps at the historical society's March and April meetings. At 7 p.m. March 17, Debbie Fandrei of the Raupp Museum will present "Babes, Ballots and Beer." The presentation will focus on the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in Illinois, including women's role in a vote that resulted in Libertyville being a "dry" community in 1914.

On April 21, longtime Libertyville resident Harold Arai will discuss his experiences living in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

Both meetings will take place at the Cook Memorial Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave. and are open to all.

"We're trying this year to have more of those personal stories," Barry said.

For more information about the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society, visit www.lmhistory.org.