Join the Ottawa Historical Museum, Canal Toll House and the Reddick and take a step back in time to enjoy a day of coopering, browsing the work of artists and crafters, RC boat racing, kayak racing and so much more. On July 8, Louis Jolliet, Fr. Jacques
On July 8, Louis Jolliet, Fr. Jacques Marquette and fellow “voyageurs” will be at the I&M Canal. They will paddle their voyager canoes, tell of their travels, sing their native songs and demonstrate how they survive in the Illinois territory environment. Come and talk to them and
A murder on the I&M and other personal canal memories by Ottawa's Hank Walsh.
On June 12, 1924 around 9:00 p.m. two bandits climbed over the engine tender of R.P.O. train 57, 30 miles outside Chicago. The two men covered the engineer and firemen at gun forcing them to stop the train near Rondout, Illinois. Four other bandits were a Rondout,
Join us a fun-filled day with activities the entire family can enjoy. Demonstrations from a blacksmith, canoeing on the canal, music, tours and so much more.
In April 1917, during their senior year spring break at Oak Park-River Forest High School, classmates Ernest Hemingway and Ray Ohlsen embarked on a trip mostly by canoe to Starved Rock State Park in La Salle County. In commemoration of Hemingway’s 125th anniversary, an Illinois State Historical
Chris Vallillo performs songs, stories, and shares the struggles of the Illinois Underground Railroad. This powerful evening highlights historical songs sung by people who were enslaved, to inspire and share knowledge among themselves. Celebrate with us as we welcome the soon-to-roll-out NEW museum documentary called "JOHN HOSSACK:
By the 1930s there were many neighborhood grocery stores in Ottawa. In fact, in 1937 Ottawa had 69 such stores. This presentation by Mollie Perrot will highlight some of the well known provision providers. Admission is $10.