WWII Christmas comes to life
The Allied encampments that surrounded the Belgian city of Bastogne will come to life this weekend on the grounds of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum.
Nearly 63 years after the Battle of the Bulge -- fought in bitter cold temperatures during December 1944 -- members of the Tri-State Living History Association will re-enact components from the key battle site.
The living history event takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the museum grounds, at 110 W. Fremont St. in Arlington Heights. Admission is free.
Clad in World War II uniforms, its members will set up the headquarters operation of the 506th parachute infantry regiment of the 101st Airborne Division inside the museum's 19th century carriage house.
Visitors will find it filled with authentic desks, tables, maps of Bastogne and communications equipment including radios and a small medical unit -- all with 1940s Christmas music playing on a phonograph.
Outdoors, soldiers will decorate a Christmas tree as the soldiers did, with the material they had available. They also will be operating a field kitchen, making pancakes and brewing coffee and hot chocolate.
Admittedly, the military re-enactment is a bit unusual for the Arlington Heights museum, which typically hosts Victorian era teas and guided tours over the holidays. But officials say it offers a front-row look into an important battle during World War II.
"There are so many educational components," said Cathy Robertson, museum program coordinator, "that will fully immerse the community into the front lines."
Todd Schoell of Arlington Heights, one of nearly 12 soldiers on hand, will be serving as cook, while his son, Blair Schoell, a 2002 Prospect High School graduate and U.S. history teacher at Grant High School in Fox Lake, will portray a squad leader.
"We'll be using all authentic World War II field kitchen equipment," Schoell said. "We know that during the Bulge, they raided some of the houses and got some flour, so the cooks made pancakes.
"Everything we do is by the book," Schoell said, "and we'll be using actual Army recipes."
The military re-enactors will be recreating their regiment at the same time as the traditional "Take A Bough" event, which takes place in the formal gardens, on the east side of the campus grounds, and is sponsored by the Lions' Club of Arlington Heights.
As part of that program, groups adopt a tree and decorate it with original designs that all are environmentally friendly.
Visitors to the grounds will also have access to the current exhibit in the museum's Heritage Gallery, "Arlington Artists on Display," which features the work of 60 local artists.
If you go
What: World War II living history encampment, recreating soldiers on the front lines in Bastogne, Belguim during the Battle of the Bulge by the Tri-State Living History Association
When: 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: The Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights
Cost: Free
Call: (847) 255-1225 or visit www.ahmuseum.org