Museum grant supports 'Fun Unplugged' exhibits

A $2,500 grant the DuPage Historical Museum Foundation received from the DuPage Foundation's Cleve E. Carney Fund will support "Fun Unplugged," a series of three exhibits - Childhood Memories, Little Adults and Outdoor Adventures.

Beginning next month and running through February 2018, the series focuses on children's pastimes throughout DuPage County history.

Artifacts and interactive stations will help guests understand how childhood and its activities have changed over time. Three children's programs by local performers and three craft workshops will be offered throughout the span of the series.

Thanks to the $2,500 grant, the museum can "showcase three free exhibits in the 'Fun Unplugged' exhibit series while providing lectures and workshops at minimal or no cost to individuals," museum Curator Ashley Downing said.

"Without the grant, we wouldn't be able to target the large segment of the community we are hoping this exhibit and (these) activities will be able to attract."

The museum foundation is one of 27 not-for-profit organizations benefiting from DuPage Foundation's generosity this grant cycle, including the Addison Center for the Arts, the Morton Arboretum and SCARCE.

"The great work of our local not-for-profit organizations has an ongoing and significant impact in our community, and we are proud to support the many wonderful arts, educational and environmental programs that enrich the lives of so many here in DuPage County," said Barb Szczepaniak, DuPage Foundation's vice president for programs.

Along with the grant received through the Community Needs grant cycle, the DuPage County Historical Museum received two donor-advised grants to support museum operations: a $5,500 grant from the Conrad and Doris Brassine Charitable Fund of the DuPage Foundation and a $1,000 grant from the History DuPage Fund of the DuPage Foundation.

These grants allow "our small staff to provide more and better quality programs, events and exhibits for the public at little-to-no cost to them," said Michelle Podkowa, museum manager and educator.

Some of these events include a celebration of African American History Month with David Malone, professor and archivist, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3. He will discuss Wheaton College's history as a center for abolitionist thought and as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and how the college graduated the first African American in Illinois. The cost is $5 per person; free for members.

Both members and nonmembers must register for the programs. To register, contact (630) 510-4941 or wheatonparkdistrict.com/tickets.