Author: Connie

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial: Visit Lincoln’s Farm

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial: Visit Lincoln’s Farm

In his 1859 autobiography, Abraham Lincoln referred to the farm where he lived with his family for fourteen years. He lived his formative years, from age 7 to 21, in the home where he lost his mother, where his step-mother continued to encourage his love for reading and learning, and where he was molded into the man who is often regarded as America’s greatest president.  You can visit the very land where Lincoln grew up, in what is now Lincoln City, Indiana, at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and Living Historical farm.

We reached our new home about the time the State came into the Union.  It was a wild region, with many bears and other wild animals, still in the woods.  There I grew up.” –A. Lincoln

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Evansville Museum: Culture, History and Hands-on Fun

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana , , , 0 Comment
Evansville Museum: Culture, History and Hands-on Fun

You’ll discover hands-on science, local history, art galleries, a planetarium, and a transportation center all under one roof at the Evansville Museum—well, two roofs, really—and you can cover it all in one afternoon.

Start in the science gallery where adults are as anxious as children to try the interactive demonstrations.  Watch clouds form, see your image reflected upside-down in a mirror, or drop a coin into the gravity well and watch it spin ‘round and ‘round as it descends to the bottom.
Cloud_MachineParabolic_MirrorMoving into the history exhibitions, see replicas of dresses worn by movie stars and lots of movie posters, which demonstrate the popularity of the silver screen in Evansville, formerly home to twelve theaters.  Many of the theaters began as vaudeville venues and were converted to movie houses in the early 20th century.

Movie_Houses

Walk down a brick paved street of yesteryear and peer into the windows of homes and businesses.

Street

Generfal_store

kitchen

Parlor

The museum includes an extensive exhibit about life during World War II.  During the war, Evansville became the quintessential Rosie the Riveter town as women took on factory jobs while the men went to war.

Military

The museum’s second level houses art galleries.  Permanent exhibits in the Crescent Galleries showcase American and European art dating back as far as the 16th century.  The remaining galleries feature temporary exhibitions: some part of the museum’s collection, some regional art, and some touring collections.

Art_2

The Immersive Theater, the planetarium, offers several different shows each day.  One show is specifically geared to young children and another to older children.  “Skies Over Evansville” reproduces the night sky, and a museum staff member points out constellations and planets, and answers audience questions.

Next door, the Evansville Museum Transportation Center (EMTRAC) invites you to explore the Evansville’s transportation history, from 19th century riverboats and carriages to steam fire engines and locomotives.

EMTRAC

Ship_diorama

Riverboat_Pilothouse

Steam_fire_engine

Outside, ring the bell of a Milwaukee Road steam engine and walk through the Tennessee Club Car, the very car that General Dwight D. Eisenhower used during his presidency campaign and later was used by Lady Bird Johnson as she campaigned for her husband’s presidency.

Steam_engine

Club_car

A 1920s railroad car attached to the back of the EMTRAC building houses a model railroad that you view from inside the museum.  The layout represents Evansville during the 1950s.

Model_train

Model_train_scene_1

Spend just a few hours in the Evansville Museum, and you’ll get a good feel for the area culture and history—and will have had fun learning about it.

The Evansville Museum is located at 411 S.E. Riverside Drive, Evansville Indiana.  Check the web site for hours and admission rates.

Disclosure:  My visit to the Evansville Museum was hosted by the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Evansville Museum, but any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Thank you for reading Midwest Wanderer.  If you enjoyed this post and would like an e-mail notification when other posts are published, enter your e-mail address below and click Subscribe.  Be sure to click the link when you get the e-mail asking you to confirm.


 

Other posts and articles you may enjoy:

Tropicana Evansville: Stay, Dine, Play

Tour a Victorian Mansion: Evansville’s Reitz Home Museum

Evansville Pizza Taste Test: Turoni’s or Roca Bar?

Tour the USS LST 325, Evansville Indiana

Tour the USS LST 325, Evansville Indiana

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments
Tour the USS LST 325, Evansville Indiana

During World War II, there were more LSTs built in Evansville, Indiana, than in any other inland location.  It’s fitting, then, that Evansville is home to the only operational naval museum in the nation, the LST 325.  On a tour of the ship, you’ll learn about its operations and how military personnel lived on board. Read more

Evansville Pizza Taste Test: Turoni’s or Roca Bar?

Connie Food & Drink, Indiana , , , , 2 Comments
Evansville Pizza Taste Test: Turoni’s or Roca Bar?

An Evansville, Indiana, local recommended we try the Turoni’s pizza, voted best in Indiana.  Another local argued that Roca Bar, where the very first Evansville pizza was served, is the best.  As a lifelong Chicagoan, I rarely eat pizza out of town.  When I do, I’m usually disappointed. It’s rare to find one as good the Chicago pizza I grew up on.  However, with such rave reviews of these pizzas, we put them to the test.  So we tried both. Read more

Chicagoland Guide to Easter Egg Hunts 2014

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois , , 0 Comment
Chicagoland Guide to Easter Egg Hunts 2014

When I was a kid, the town Easter egg hunt was a really big deal.  Everybody looked forward to it.  There was one hunt for the young kids and another for everyone else.  The Everyone Else hunt was in a huge field scattered with candy and plastic eggs in the distance  We all stood in anticipation behind a line painted in the grass, posed one foot in front of the other, ready to take off the moment we heard—bang!—the starter pistol.  Off we ran toward the candy bars and eggs.  Being small, I lagged behind the crowd and was lucky if I got a couple of pieces of candy.  The bigger kids raked in the mother lode.

Today Easter egg hunts are almost always divided into several age groups, eggs are plentiful, and everyone comes away a winner.  Besides regular egg hunts for children with prize-filled plastic eggs in plain sight, some towns have nighttime flashlight hunts for teens or egg hunts in a pool.  Some even have egg hunts for dogs.  Here is a list of many of the Chicago area Easter egg hunts and other Easter activities planned for 2014:

Chicago
April 12, 9 a.m. at Soldier Field
Spring Egg-Stravaganza
Kid and family friendly activities include face painting, inflatables, and balloon artists.  The first group starts in the candy grab on the field at 10 a.m.  Go early for breakfast with the Easter Bunny.  A fee applies for breakfast, but everything else is free.

April 19 at Lincoln Park Zoo
Easter Egg-Stravaganza
Festivities, including meeting the Easter Bunny, creating crafts and visiting zoo animals run from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the Easter egg hunt from 9 a.m. to 9:20 a.m.  Carousel and train rides will be available, weather permitting.  Fee applies, and tickets must be purchased in advance.

 West Suburbs

April 5, 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Easter Egg-Xpress:  Aurora
Train departs from Aurora Metra station and goes to Naperville.  See the Easter Bunny and hunt for Easter eggs.  Fee applies.

April 5, 8:30-11:30
Breakfast with the Bunny: Warrenville
Warrenville Community Building, 3S260 Warren Avenue.  Menu includes pancakes, sausage, fruit and beverage.  Register in advance.  Fee applies.

April 12, 10:00 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt: St. Charles
Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Avenue.  Please limit your child to 10 eggs.

April 12, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 am.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny: Elmhurst
Wilder Mansion, 211 Prospect Avenue.  Decorate bunny face pancakes, color bunny pictures, entertainment.  Fee applies.

April 12, 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Doggie Easter Egg Hunt: Oakbrook Terrace
Terrace View Park, Hodges Road near Rte. 83. Dogs must wear a collar with tags.  Pre-registration required.

April 12, 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt at Terrace View Park: Oakbrook Terrace
Terrace View Park, Hodges Road near Rte. 83.  Pre-registration required.  Fee applies.  Bunny Breakfast at the Oakbrook Terrace Park District Fitness Center afterwards.

April 12, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Itasca spring Fling: Itasca
Springbrook Nature Center,130 Forest Avenue.  Includes candy hunts, crafts, Easter Bunny to pose for photos.

April 12, 10 a.m.
Annual Egg Hunt: Lisle
Community Park, Short Street off of Route 53.  Ages group: 2 & under; 3-5; 6-10.  Advance registration required.  Fee applies.

April 13, 3:30 p.m.
Underwater Egg Hunt: Elmhurst
Courts Plus swimming pool.  Some eggs float, some will sink.  Fee applies for non-Courts Plus members.  Check the web site for rules.

April 13, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Easter Brunch, Addision
Dave & Busters, 1155 N Swift Road.  Brunch, Easter Bunny, egg hunt, game cards.  Fee applies.

April 17, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Teen Flashlight Egg Hunt: Elmhurst
Wilder Park, 175 S Prospect Avenue.  Prizes and candy.   Bring your own flashlight.

April 17, 9:00 p.m.
Flashlight Egg Hunt: Lisle
Community Park Bandshell, Short Street off of Route 53.   Bring your own flashlight.  Registration required; fee applies.

April 18-19, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny: Lisle
Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53.  Check the web site for buffet menu.  Fee applies.  Preregister.

April 19, 9:30 a.m.
Spring Egg Hunt: Sandwich
James Knights Park, 1001 N Latham Street.  Children up to 9 years of age may participate.

April 19, 1:15 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt: Hinkley
Pioneer Park, 600 W Lincoln Avenue.  Pose for a photo with the Easter Bunny.

April 19, 10 a.m.
Easter Eggstravaganza: Bensenville
Varble Park, 1000 W Wood Street (behind Deer Grove Leisure Center). Ages 2-4 10 a.m.; ages 5-7 10:30  a.m.

April 19, 10 a.m.
Egg Hunt: Elmhurst
Wilder Park, 175 S Prospect Avenue.  You are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, drug store gift cards or cash donations for the Elmhurst/Yorkfield Food Pantry.
South Suburbs

April 5, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Central Park Egg Hunt: Oak Forest
Central Park, 15601 Central Avenue, Age 2 & under, 12:30; Age 3, 1:00; Age 4-5 (Pre-K and K), 1:30; Grades 1-3, 2:00

April 11, 7:30 pm. to 8:30 p.m.
Flashlight Egg Hunt:  Olympia Fields
Iron Oaks Environmental Learning Center, 20000 Western Avenue. Pre-register by April 10.

April 12, 7:00 p.m.
Flashlight Egg Hunt:  Olympia Fields
Sgt. Means Park, 3633 Breakers Drive.  Ages 2-12.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.

April 12, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 am. And 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Oak Lawn’s Annual Egg Hunt
Stony Creek Golf, Restaurant  Banquets.  5850 West 103rd Street.  Call for further details:  708/857-2433

April 12, 10:00 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt:  Orland Park
Centennial Park, 15600 West Avenue.  Ages 1-9

April 12, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt: Oak Lawn
Village Green, 9446 Raymond Avenue.

April 12, 10:00 a.m.
Lucky Egg Hunt: Homewood
Richard D. Irwin Park & Marie Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Avenue.  Rain location, H-F Sports Complex.  Find a lucky egg and win an extra prize.

April 12, 12:00 noon
Mokena Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt, Mokena.
Mokena Main Park, LaPorte and Mokena Streets

April 12: 10:30 a.m.
Great Dog Egg Hunt
Richard D. Irwin Park & Marie Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Avenue.  Dogs must be on a leash.  Dog owners under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

April 12, 13, 19.  9:00 am. And Brookfield Zoo
Breakfast with the Bunny
Brookfield Zoo Discovery Center, 3300 Golf Road.  Reservations required.

April 13, 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.
Bunny Hop: Tinley Park
South Street and 67th Court, adjacent to the Oak Park Avenue train station.  Egg hunt, kid crafts, games, food, craft show, more.
Northwest

April 12, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Bunny Bash: Schaumburg
Community Recreation Center, 505 N Springinsguth Road.  Egg hunts, games, inflatables, train ride, more.  Registration required.  Fee applies

April 13, 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at GameWorks:  Schaumburg
601 N Martingale Road.  Breakfast, photo with Easter Bunny, egg hunt, game play.  Bring in non-perishable food item and received $5 credit play card.  Register by April 12.

April 17, 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Underwater EGGstravaganza: Schaumburg
505 N Springinsguth Road. 6:15, age 2 and younger; 6:30 p.m. age 3-4; 6:45  age 5-6; 7:00 7-8, 7:15 9 and older.  7:30: zero-depth pool open for all ages to swim.  Egg hunts, entertainment, games, prizes.  Registration required by April 15.

April 19, 10:00 a.m.
Boomers Annual Easter Egg Hunt: Schaumburg
Boomers Stadium, 1999 S Springinsguth Road. Gates open at 9:30, egg hunt begins at 10 a.m.  Four age groups: 3 and under, age 4 to 6, age 7 to 8, age 9 and older.  $2 per person, cash only, incudes ticket for any May Boomers game.

Thank you for reading Midwest Wanderer.  If you enjoyed this post and would like an e-mail notification when other posts are published, enter your e-mail address below and click Subscribe.  Be sure to click the link when you get the e-mail asking you to confirm.


 

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Peoria Riverfront Museum: Interactive Exhibits, Planetarium and Giant Screen Theater

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Tour a Victorian Mansion: Evansville’s Reitz Home Museum

Connie Attractions & Events, Indiana , , , , , , 0 Comment
Tour a Victorian Mansion: Evansville’s Reitz Home Museum

Walk into the Reitz Home, and you step back into the lifestyle of the wealthiest family in early Evansville.  Extensive use of stained glass, chandeliers, intricate inlaid wood floor patterns, Moorish doorway screens, and fireplaces of the finest materials like white onyx tell you that no ordinary family lived in this Victorian mansion.  Religious icons throughout the house tell more about the family, that they were devout Catholics.  This was the home of John Augustus Reitz, Prussian-born lumber baron and town philanthropist.  Mr. Reitz, his wife Gertrude, and eight of their ten children (two were married by the time the home was built in 1871) lived in the home.

Stained_glass_1

Drawing_room

Fireplace_1 foyer

After John August and Gertrude passed on, the unmarried children continued to live together.  They redecorated the home and updated it with electricity and plumbing, including Evansville’s first toilet, still in the home.

Toilet

The last Reitz family member to die, Christine, had given many of the home’s contents to neighbors and staff members.  Two heirs donated the home itself to the Daughters of Isabella, and it eventually was sold to the Evansville Diocese and became home to Evansville’s first bishop.

In 1974 the home was donated to the Reitz Home Preservation Society, and restoration work began.  Some of the furnishings in the home are original to the Reitz family, having been donated back by the those they were given to, and some are representative of the furnishings that would have been in the home when the Reitz family was living there.

Hall_tree

Bedroom

The major part of the restoration is completed, but as Matt Rowe, Executive Director of the Reitz Home Museum and Chairman of Evansville’s Historic Preservation Commission, pointed out, work on an old home is never finished.

Watch the video below to see more photos of the restored mansion.

After your tour of the Reitz Home, take a self-guided tour through the neighborhood where you’ll see more homes originally owned by Evansville’s elites and now restored or undergoing restoration.  Numerous Queen Anne homes are interspersed with  prairie,craftsman, and many other architectural styles.

Historic_home_3

Historic_home_2

Historic_home_1

Carriage houses have been restored, too.

Historic_carriage_house_1

Just as the Reitz home, owned by a lumber baron, made extensive use of wood, the home built by the local brick baron used brick just as artfully, even in the sidewalk outside the home.

Brick_sidewalk

As we strolled on our tour, we were fortunate to be invited by Elaine, the current owner of the Fendrich home, to step inside to see the restoration progress.  John Fendrich, heir to the Fendrich Cigar Company and the original owner of the home, was married to one of the Reitz daughters.  The completely restored dining room, including the silver wall sconces, the parlor with its lovely fireplace and the kitchen with the original icebox are evidence of the meticulous detail that has gone into the restoration.

Fendrich_dining_room

Fendrich_fireplace

Fendrich_sconce

Fendrich_kitchen

Preservation continues throughout the historic neighborhood, once run down with many of the homes turned multifamily, but now returning to its grand glory.

The Reitz Home Museum, located at 224 S.E. First Street in Evansville, Indiana, is open for tours Tuesday through Sunday.  Check the web site for hours and admission.

Disclosure:  My visit to the Reitz Home Museum and a tour of the surrounding neighborhood was hosted by the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Reitz Home Museum, but any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Thank you for reading Midwest Wanderer.  If you enjoyed this post and would like an e-mail notification when other posts are published, enter your e-mail address below and click Subscribe.  Be sure to click the link when you get the e-mail asking you to confirm.


 

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Tropicana Evansville: Stay, Dine, Play

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