Look for 'Pieces of the Past' in Waukegan

The Waukegan Historical Society has announced a new, self-guided, interactive exhibit titled "Pieces of the Past."

The exhibit celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Waukegan Park District. Fifty large puzzle pieces have been scattered throughout all of the Waukegan Park District parks. Each puzzle piece tells a unique story about the history of the parks. The exhibit began July 2 and will run through Oct. 15. The exhibit was presented to the Waukegan Park District Board of Commissioners on June 27 as a 100th birthday gift from the Waukegan Historical Society.

Find the puzzle pieces to play the interactive game for rewards. Each puzzle piece contains a secret code. Once the secret code is found, it can be recorded in the official "Pieces of the Past" brochure. Brochures can be found at the Waukegan History Museum, 1911 N. Sheridan Road in Bowen Park, and other participating Waukegan Park District facilities as well as online at www.waukeganhistorical.org. The brochure can then be brought to the Waukegan History Museum to redeem for prizes.

For every five secret codes recorded in the brochure, a raffle ticket will be given. The raffle will include multiple prizes as well as a $100 grand prize. For the first five secret codes found, participants will receive a "Pieces of the Past" button. For 10 codes found, participants receive a coupon for a free popcorn and soda at a Waukegan Park District Movies in the Park event this summer. For 35 codes found, participants receive two free tickets to the Waukegan Historical Society's annual Tour of Homes on Sunday, Oct. 1. If all 50 secret codes are found, participants receive a historic photograph of a Waukegan Park District park, special recognition at the Waukegan Historical Society's Fall Program, and the cipher to find out the message from the secret code numbers. Participants can collect all of the prizes.

The Waukegan History Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 1-4 p.m. Saturdays. Museum admission is free.

For information, contact the Waukegan Historical Society, at (847) 336-1859, email museum@waukeganhistorical.org, or visit www.waukeganhistorical.org.