The Glencoe Ten: A Fresh Look

On February 18, 1868, ten men entered into an investment agreement that ultimately created the Village of Glencoe. Who were these men? Where did they live? What did they bring to the community? Our Glencoe Ten: A Fresh Look at the Founders of Our Community program, which takes place on Sunday, March 23 at 2:00, will introduce you to the group that took a chance on some undeveloped land north of Chicago near the lake. After 145 years, we know the investment was successful for us - but was it successful for them? Every Glencoe resident should know this story, which will be presented by members of the Glencoe Historical Society.

Find us at the Family Fun Fest!

Family Service of Glencoe along with the Glencoe Park District will be hosting Family Fun Fest this Sunday the 16th at the Takiff Center from 1:30 to 4:00 and we will be there too. There will be games in the gym, arts and crafts activities, Quick Start Tennis demonstrations, kids ceramics and a pottery demonstration, health and wellness resources, a Zumba class, a family yoga class, and more! In addition, we will have health and fitness books and DVDs for you to borrow as well as information on all of our services including our library app, downloadable ebooks and some new surprises. Be sure to drop by our table and say hi!

Glencoe's Castle

Across from the train station on Glencoe Drive, the still-fine old mansion known as “The Castle” is one of Glencoe’s stateliest homes. Built in 1876, it is closely tied to some of the village’s founding residents. It also is a leading example of sensitive historic preservation.

Come to the library on November 7th at 7:30 p.m. and join Glencoe architect Scott Javore for an insider’s view of this remarkable structure and how it rose and fell—and rose again!—over the years. He will discuss early Glencoe history, how the lives of the first owners of the Castle are woven into village history, and the extensive renovation that restored the home’s detailing and character.

Glencoe and the Civil War

2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. Glencoe was not yet incorporated when the Civil War broke out, but men who fought for the Union moved here after 1869 and played a role in the village’s history. Join us on Sunday, April 10 at 2:00 p.m. as researchers from the Glencoe Historical Society explain the connections between Glencoe and the Civil War. They'll also discuss how the “history detectives” of the Historical Society solved the mystery of two original 1860s letters found in the Glencoe Public Library’s archives regarding Wisconsin soldier Jeremiah Porter and his relationship to Glencoe resident Franklin “Grandpa” Newhall. This is sure to be an thought-provoking program for anyone interested in the Civil War and/or Glencoe's history.

Meet Otto Barnett!

Come by the library on Sunday, May 16 at 2:00 for a special presentation about Otto Barnett, one of the early community leaders in Glencoe. Mr. Barnett was involved in national politics and his experiences in Europe at the beginning of World War I made the national news. You'll also learn about early mid 20th Century life in Glencoe through Mr. Barnett's personal papers. This program is jointly sponsored by the library and the Glencoe Historical Society.

Special Centennial Program on African Americans in Glencoe

On Sunday, December 13th, Robert A. Sideman, author of the just published book African Americans in Glencoe: The Little Migration, will visit the library to discuss why he found his topic worthy of years of research, surprises he encountered along the way, and the road to publication.  This is yet another special program celebrating the library's centennial.