Lombard Historical Society to host exhibit on the legacy of ‘Pioneering Women’
On Saturday, March 29, the Lombard Historical Society will host an opening for its latest temporary exhibit “Pioneering Women: The Peck Women and Their Legacy.”
The opening will be noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Sheldon Peck Homestead, 355 E. Parkside Ave. in Lombard. This is a free event, but RSVPs are appreciated as light refreshments will be provided. For more information about this event, or the Lombard Historical Society, visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or call (630) 629-1885.
The exhibit runs through Nov. 29, 2025.
While the Homestead bears Sheldon Peck’s name, it was the women of the family who shaped it into a true home — a place of warmth, resilience, and community.
This exhibit explores the lives of Harriet Cory Peck, her daughters Martha, Susan, and Abigail, and her granddaughter Alyce, highlighting their contributions to society as artists, educators, healers, historians, and homemakers.
From Harriet’s strength in managing the farm, raising children, and supporting abolitionist efforts, to the artistic and social legacies carried forward by her daughters and a granddaughter, who became the family historian, the women of the Peck family left an enduring legacy.
Through unseen photographs and artifacts, this exhibit brings their often unheard or overshadowed stories to life, revealing the heart of the Homestead and the values that continue to inspire today.
The Sheldon Peck Homestead is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from noon to p.m. RSVP at LombardHistory.org.
About the Lombard Historical Society
The Lombard Historical Society is dedicated to cultivating a deep appreciation and understanding of the community’s rich history. Through interactive exhibitions, educational programming, and historical collections, they encourage visitors to explore and connect with Lombard’s past. Its mission is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate local history while inspiring a vibrant and inclusive future.
The historical society operates the Victorian Cottage Museum, the Carriage House, and the society’s archives at 23 W. Maple St. Additionally, they manage the Sheldon Peck Homestead, a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site, located at 355 E. Parkside Avenue in Lombard.
• The Sheldon Peck Homestead is open for tours and activities on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.
• The Victorian Cottage Museum offers tours on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
• The Carriage House Exhibitions and Lilac Emporium Gift Shop are open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about hours, membership, and volunteer opportunities, visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or call (630) 629-1885.