COD events celebrate county's 175th anniversary
In celebration of DuPage County's 175th anniversary, College of DuPage has teamed up with the DuPage County Historical Museum to present a series of events throughout the winter and spring.
Each of the free programs in the Inheriting DuPage Lecture and Event Series were made possible through grants from the Conrad and Doris Brassine Charitable Fund and the History DuPage Fund of the DuPage Community Foundation.
The event series opens with "DuPage County: A Historical Perspective" at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, in the Student Resource Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.
Attendees will get a look at how the rolling prairies between the Des Plaines and Fox rivers became the residential and commercial center of DuPage County. Keith Yearman, COD assistant professor of geography, will discuss significant events that drew people to the region, including the Illinois Boundary Shift, the 1839 partition of DuPage County from Cook County, the influences of transportation in the region and the importance of historic farm communities.
In "DuPage County and the Underground Railroad," author, educator and historical researcher Glennette Tilley Turner will discuss her research on the Underground Railroad in Illinois. Turner has served on the National Park Service Underground Railroad Advisory Committee and testified before subcommittees of the U.S. Senate and House and the Illinois Senate in support of Underground Railroad legislation.
Tilley Turner's presentation begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, in COD's Student Resource Center.
"History of Higher Education in DuPage County," a panel discussion, begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in the Student Resource Center. Attendees will learn about the growth of higher education in DuPage County, from humble seminaries and temporary buildings to internationally recognized academic institutions.
The panel will include COD Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Jean Kartje and Professor of History Ben Whisenhunt, North Central College Professor of History Ann Keating, Wheaton College Professor of Library Science David Malone, and Benedictine University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Julie Wroblewski.
In May, the series heads outdoors for a "Prairie Tour" at the COD campus. Tours are planned for Wednesday, May 6, 2015, and Saturday, May 9, 2015, but times have not yet been set.
COD biology professor Chris Petersen will lead a guided tour through the college's prairie restorations. Participants will learn about the people, processes and wildlife that shape the prairie ecosystem. Space for this event is limited and registration will be required.
For additional events celebrating DuPage County's 175th anniversary, visit dupagemuseum.org/special.htm. To register for any of the events at COD, call (630) 510-4941.