Pioneers and preservation at Lombard's Prairie Days

Jeanne Schultz Angel considers her approach to Lombard history a bit realistic. The Lombard Historical Society's executive director understands that her passion for it is not shared by everyone.

However, Angel said events like Prairie Days Sunday allows the historical society to talk to people who usually would not go into their museum.

"It's getting out of the museum and getting out to the public," she said. "It provides more exposure to people who don't make it up to the museum."

Angel and other historical society members set up shop at the end of a line of about 40 booths focused on conservation and the environment. The booths ranged from a trailer representing the Department of Natural Resources and other government groups to local organizations promoting the environment.

At the historical society's tent, children searched for a needle (actually, six- to eight-inch dowel rods) in a haystack, packed a wagon and learned how to do laundry on a washboard.

"It's for somebody who may not like local history," she said. "We still have said, 'You can still come have fun with us.'"

The historical society partners on the event with the park district and the Lombard Garden Club, which works every week to clean and preserve Terrace View Park, where the event takes place. Every Wednesday, volunteers show up to clear weeds and try to restore the park.

The club has worked on the restoration for the past 12 years. Many of the booths and crafts available were geared toward children.

"The goal is to bring awareness to conservation and the environment and show them what is important," said Jenny Swensen of the Lombard Garden Club. "The environment needs people to start caring at a younger age."

Angel said the mix of environment and history adds up to a good time.

"It's a chance to have some fun with little bit of bugs, animals and pioneer history," she said.