Oak Brook celebrates 50 years
Numbers reveal the story of Oak Brook.
The tiny village holds a population of approximately 9,000 residents.
Yet it is so full of corporations, restaurants, hotels and other businesses that it draws almost 100,000 workers and visitors each day, according to Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce Officials.
And among all of its modern attractions, six sites are named on the National Register of Historic Places.
So as the village celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Oak Brook officials are hosting more than 15 events to help preserve these sites for centuries to come.
"We have come so far and the children and the visitors need to know that," said Kathleen Maher, president of the Oak Brook Historical Society and co-chair of the 50th Anniversary Committee. "We have a lot of history for those 50 short years and we need a home for it so people can enjoy it."
So to honor Oak Brook's present strengths and its rich past, the village has organized events through November that will entertain residents and raise money for the Oak Brook Historic Preservation Fund.
The next event is a children's concert at Mayslake Peabody Estate on Saturday, followed by the 40th annual Father's Day Classic Car Show on Sunday at Oakbrook Center. In addition, the Oak Brook Public Library is now displaying a photo exhibit of commercial Oak Brook through August.
Most events that charge a fee will raise money for the fund, which hopes to gain $500,000 for restoration work at Mayslake. The estate's show piece is a Tudor Revival-style mansion built in 1919 for coal baron Francis S. Peabody by Chicago architect Benjamin Marshall. The fund will also help restore The Old Butler School, which is named for Oak Brook's founder, Paul Butler, and sits next to village hall.
And while the old is important for Oak Brook, village officials and residents also want to focus on the village's new developments. The 50th anniversary festivities will include several inaugural events, including a half marathon in September and a Taste of Oak Brook on July 3, which will precede the village's popular annual fireworks display.
Village trustee Kathy Manofsky said the Taste of Oak Brook is a perfect fit for the village, since its top-notch restaurants attract diners from all over the region. This year's Taste will include eight eateries: The Clubhouse, Doubletree Oak Brook, Harry Caray's, Holy Mackerel!, Maggiano's, Mon Ami Gabi, Morton's Steakhouse, Parker's Ocean Grill, Reel Club, Tuscany and Renaissance Oak Brook.
"We're asking people to come early and bring their appetite," Manofsky said.
Additional events coming this year to commemorate Oak Brook's 50 years include Oak Brook Garden Club's first-ever garden walk this month, Butler School's all-class reunion in July for the Oak Brook Park District's second annual Summer Palooza, and a finale gala in November.
The mix of new events and village traditions, like the fireworks, was created to save money from the village budget and make the party a months-long event, Maher said.
"Rather than spend a great deal of money and throw a party, we wanted to do something that was more lasting," she said.
She also said that a nearly a year of events gives the historical society more time to teach people about Oak Brook's past and where it's headed.
"It's kind of like the World's Fair when it came to Chicago," Maher said. "It came and went but look at all the beautiful buildings that were left, like the Field Museum. Our big goal in Oak Brook is to leave a legacy, for not only our children and grandchildren, but even the children now."
Oak Brook anniversary events
Photo Exhibit of Commercial Oak Brook
When: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through August
Where: Oak Brook Public Library, 600 Oak Brook Road
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 368-7700 or www.oak-brook.lib.il.us
Mr. Nicky: A Music Extravaganza for Children
When: 1 to 2 p.m. June 14
Where: Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook
Cost: $5; $15 for familes of five or less
Details: (630) 206-9566 or www.dupageforest.com
Father's Day Classic Car Show
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 15
Where: Oakbrook Center, Route 83 and 22nd Street
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 573-0700 or www.oakbrookcenter.com
Oak Brook Garden Club's "The Gardens of Oak Brook" garden walk
When: noon to 4 p.m. June 22
Where: Begins at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook; Shuttle available
Cost: $40 in advance at Oak Brook Public Library, 600 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook Park District, 1450 Forest Gate Road, and Mayslake Peabody Estate; $50 at the event.
Details: Marilyn Smrcina at (630) 734-0618
Taste of Oak Brook
When: 4 to 9 p.m. July 3
Where: Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 31st Street and Polo Drive
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 368-5000 or www.oak-brook.org
Village of Oak Brook's annual Independence Day Fireworks
When: 9:30 p.m. July 3
Where: Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 31st Street and Polo Drive
Cost: Free
Phone: (630) 368-5000 or www.oak-brook.org
Mr. Peabody's 149th Birthday Open House and DuPage Art League Fair
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 26-27
Where: Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 206-9566 or www.dupageforest.com
Music in the Park Kick-Off to SummerPalooza 2008
When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15
Where: Central Park Gazebo, Oak Brook Park District, 1450 Forest Gate Road
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 990-4233 or www.obparks.org
SummerPalooza 2008
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Aug. 16
Where: Central Park, 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 990-4233 or www.obparks.org
Oakbrook Center's 46th Invitational Fine Art Exhibition
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 30; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 31
Where: Oakbrook Center, Route 83 and 22nd Street
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 573-0700 or www.oakbrookcenter.com
The Oak Brook 50th Anniversary Half Marathon
When: 7 a.m. Sept. 1
Where: Starting at Kensington Road, West of Jorie Blvd, Oak Brook
Cost: $45
Details: www.oakbrookhalfmarathon.com
Solo Art Exhibit featuring Oak Brook Artist Judith Barath
When: Sept. 1 to Nov. 3
Where: Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 206-9566 or www.dupageforest.com
Historic Preservation Lecture Series
When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 and 23, Oct. 7 and 21
Where: Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook
Cost: $5
Details: (630) 206-9566
Autumn Festival
When: noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 21
Where: Oak Brook Bath and Tennis Club, 800 Oak Brook Road
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 368-5000 or www.oak-brook.org
"The Eye of the Stone" Landscapes and Historic Architecture Photo Exhibit Preview Reception
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2; Exhibit runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays Oct. 3-26.
Where: Graue Mill & Museum, Frederick Graue House, 3800 York Road, Oak Brook
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 920-9720 or www.grauemill.org
Friends of Oak Brook Public Library's Evergreen Concert
When: October: Date and time not yet available
Where: Oak Brook Public Library, 600 Oak Brook Road
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 368-7700 or www.oak-brook.lib.il.us
Oak Brook Celebrates 50 Years Celebration Finale
When: 8 p.m. Nov. 8
Where: Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace
Cost: To be announced
Details: www.oak-brook.org