Letters to Lincoln: Lombard Historical Society sponsors writing contest
Lombard fifth-graders are being invited to enter the Lombard Historical Society's Sheldon Peck Letter Writing Contest, which runs through Feb. 28.
Students are asked to imagine they are folk artist and abolitionist Sheldon Peck writing a letter to Abraham Lincoln in 1848. All entries must be received by Feb. 28 at the historical society, 23 W. Maple St. Full details and entry forms are available at lombardhistory.org and at the Sheldon Peck Homestead, 355 E Parkside Ave.
The homestead is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Presidents Day and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free but donations are welcome.
The contest is open to all students enrolled in fifth grade in any Lombard private or public elementary school with a school address in Lombard. Fifth-grade home-school students who have a Lombard mailing address also may enter.
Students are encouraged to visit the Sheldon Peck Homestead, the oldest home and the first school in Lombard, to view copies of Peck's paintings and exhibits regarding his work as an abolitionist, folk artist and farmer.
An awards ceremony for the winners and their families will be held at 2 p.m. March 22 at the homestead. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers.
The Lombard Historical Society celebrates Lombard's heritage by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of Lombard and operates the Victorian Cottage Museum, the Carriage House and the society's archives along with the Sheldon Peck Homestead, a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site. Both the Victorian Cottage and Peck Homestead host activities and groups and are open for tours several days a week.
For details about membership and volunteer and donor opportunities, visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or phone (630) 629-1885.