Event celebrates 75th annniversary of Lake Ellyn Boathouse

Glen Ellyn Park District will host an open house Sunday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of a Glen Ellyn landmark, the Lake Ellyn Boathouse.

The free event begins immediately after the annual Veterans Day observance in Lake Ellyn Park concludes, at roughly 11:45 a.m., and runs until 2 p.m.

The open house will include live performances by The Need to Be Seen Radio Troupe; a display of historical photos of Lake Ellyn, the boathouse and the Glen Ellyn Hotel; and reproductions of Works Progress Administration posters and movie posters and news clippings from 1937. In addition, the Glen Ellyn Historical Society will sponsor an informational booth and sells select items from Stacy’s Corners Store.

A PowerPoint presentation of a newly created park district archival website will be shown, as well clips from the 1937 film, “Make Way for Tomorrow.” Light refreshments will be served.

The Geneva-based The Need to Be Seen Radio Troupe performs “The Case of the Big Top Murders,” an episode from the popular Dick Tracy radio program.

The boathouse, 645 Lenox Road, was built as a Works Progress Administration project that was part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal economic program.

Then known as “the Recreation House,” it opened its doors 75 years ago Nov. 12 as a warming house for ice skaters. Today, Lake Ellyn Boathouse has grown in purpose to serve the entire community as a place to gather and celebrate life’s many milestones throughout the year.

Donations for the Glen Ellyn Park District Scholarship Fund will be accepted.