Q&A with Glenview History Center President Beverly Dawson
Named Glenview Citizen of the Year in 2006, Beverly "Bev" Dawson is president of the Glenview History Center, 1121 Waukegan Road. Since 1989, she's been a board member or officer with the History Center.
Wife of retired orthopedic surgeon Dr. William Dawson and the mother of a college instructor, Susan, Bev Dawson obviously is a history buff with interests in American military history and aviation - she completed ground school, but not flight training.
Attending college at Southern Illinois University, then continuing at the University of Illinois-Chicago, she is a retired nurse.
An author of two books on Glenview history, Dawson served for decades as a volunteer at Glenbrook Hospital, among her many volunteer positions. In addition to her work with the Glenview History Center, she continues to serve on the boards of the North Eastern Illinois Historical Council and the Navy League of the United States, as well as the NorthShore University HealthSystem Auxiliary.
Past affiliations include the Village of Glenview Historical Preservation Committee, the Hangar One Foundation, Northwestern University Circle and the Glenbrook South High School Instrumental League.
Dawson was president of the Glenview branch of the American Association of University Women from 1983-85.
The Dawsons lived in Glenview for 47 years until moving to Northbrook in 2016.
The Herald asked Beverly about her time and interests with the Glenview History Center.
Q. How did you get involved with the Glenview History Center?
A. My involvement in the Glenview History Center dates back nearly 35 years. A good friend, Ursula Maethner, was then History Center president. She asked me to join the board ... and the rest is history! I'll soon have served as president or co-president four different times.
Q. What's special about the place - both Glenview and the History Center and Hibbard Library?
A. Glenview has a most intriguing and unique history. Like most of the surrounding communities, it traces its origins back to agriculture.
As time passed, it became home to several major corporations, as well as Naval Air Station Glenview - and somewhat later - The Grove National Landmark and Historic Wagner Farm, along with award-winning schools.
Despite its remarkable growth, Glenview pretty much retains its ambience put forth by its Chamber of Commerce back in the 1930s - "A Village of Homes & Gardens."
The Glenview History Center's mission is to preserve the history of the village and its people. That's a big job, of course. We are always seeking volunteers to help with the myriad efforts required to maintain the property, artifacts and copious collection of printed material.
Interested parties may call (847-724-2235) or contact us via our website (glenviewhistory.org).
Most of our activities are concentrated during the warm months, but we stay in touch with the public via social media throughout the year. Our library is open Tuesday afternoons from 1-4 p.m.; the Farmhouse Museum is closed until spring, but open by appointment during fall and winter.
Q.What's your favorite piece of Glenview historical trivia?
A.There are so many interesting bits of trivia associated with Glenview's history. Probably not very many folks are aware that, at the time the Curtiss-Reynolds Airport was built, it was envisioned to become Chicago's major commercial airfield. The Great Depression put an end to that concept!
Q. What is the oddest item or book in the Hibbard Library?
A. The Hibbard Library houses so many treasures related to village history, it's hard to choose just one. However, since the Bear Fountain is such an icon, folks might like to be aware that our Hibbard Library contains a great deal of information about the fountain's donor, Edwin Jackman, and his family.
It's most interesting to note that Mr. Jackman was a resident of Golf but chose to make that wonderful gift to Glenview. My guess is he never anticipated that the fountain would become such a symbol of the Village of Glenview.
Q. What is something about you that may surprise people?
A. After spending a while pondering that last question, I'd guess it might surprise some folks to know that as a young woman, my goal was to become a Navy flight nurse. Turned out that goal went away when I became an Army wife.