Historical items on display at shopping center

If you're browsing in Westridge Shopping Center in Island Lake, don't be surprised if you stumble upon some items in a window that are definitely not for sale.

The village historical society recently partnered with the shopping center to display some of Island Lake's oldest memorabilia and artifacts in a vacant storefront there.

"We have someplace safe to keep our things," said village historical society President Connie Mascillino of the new window-front. "It's someplace we could put all our stuff for display."

In the window at the shop at the corner of Westridge Drive and Route 176, passers-by can view a sampler made for graduating Island Lake resident Frances Converse, of the family for which Converse Park was named in 1934.

There's also a plaque from 1935 that used to hang at what is now village hall -- and was formerly the Island Lake Grade School -- inscribed with the names of the architect and the board members at the time.

There are also plenty of snapshots from the village's history, particularly documenting Island Lake's past as a resort community.

And browsers can just look to the text in the window for an explanation of anything they don't recognize.

"Everything is labeled," Mascillino said. "It is lighted so it is visible day and night."

And the village hopes to keep the show going as long as the shopping center will let them stay in residence.

"We plan to keep the display up and change it periodically," Mascillino said.

For more information about the display, call Mascillino at the village hall at (847) 526-5049.