Naper Settlement fundraiser flies back to the 1940s

Did you know that during the 1940s, Naperville might have had an airport in the center of town?

Taking off on that theme, Naper Settlement introduces its newest fundraiser, "Naper Settlement Takes Flight," from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the history museum, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. To get in the spirit of the festivities, everyone is encouraged to dress up for the time period.

Purchase your boarding pass for $175 and prepare to buckle up for a night straight out of the Swing Era, when flying was truly first class. For tickets, visit www.napersettlement.org/nstf or call (630) 420-6016.

"We developed our newest fundraiser based on the question: What would have happened if Naper Settlement and the area around it had become an airport," said Nata-Leigh Preas, corporate relations and sponsorship coordinator. "Passengers will check in and then depart from the Meeting House and travel our 12-acre site to five destinations featuring flights of local beverages and food based on that era."

The retro menu was developed by Chef David Miller of Chef by Request and Elements at Water Street.

"We're seeing a trend in the culinary world of bringing back comfort foods," Miller said. "Although we're inundated with futuristic things and technology, I think that people today still long for a connection with the past."

One of the culinary stops will be a backyard tiki party. Tailwinds Distilling Co. of Plainfield will be providing the rum for mai tais to be served with Hawaiian-style chicken skewers and wild rice.

Jamey Beall, director of sales at Tailwinds and a pilot, said, "When I saw the flier for the event, of course we had to be a part of it. It's almost perfectly aligned with our brand's vintage aviation theme."

The company was founded in 2012 by Beall, his brother, Toby Beall, and Toby's wife, Jillian. She's also the brand ambassador who will be pouring the drinks that night. (She's also the 1940s-style model on Tailwinds' bottles.)

There will even be a layover between courses with entertainment that includes big band music, a signature cocktail called Aviation, swing dancers and a live auction with auctioneer Greg Dellinger. Guests will be able to view historic information about Naperville in the 1940s.

Here are the flights and locations of the food and beverages:

• The Pre-Emption House Tavern will focus on the history of Kroehler Manufacturing Co. and its support of the war effort. It will feature a mashed potato bar, reminiscent of a homey restaurant frequented by GIs, paired with a Rodney Strong red wine flight.

• The Blacksmith and Print Shops will explore the history of the auto industry and the history of newspapers in Naperville at the time. Enjoy old-fashioned drive-in food including a hamburger slider, fries and an adult root beer.

• The Naper Haight House will have information about the postwar housing boom. A chicken potpie will be paired with a Rodney Strong white wine flight.

• Between the Daniels House and Murray Building, you're invited to a backyard tiki party, which includes a Hawaiian-style chicken skewer and wild rice, and is paired with a tropical drink made with Tailwinds rum.

• The Martin Mitchell Museum, formerly a working farm, opened in 1939. Throughout the 1940s, girl guides led tourists through the historic building. On the wraparound porches of this Victorian home, enjoy Midwestern pork tacos and Solemn Oath beer.

All proceeds will benefit the Naperville Heritage Society, administrator of Naper Settlement.