Worth Historical Museum & Historical Society
Worth Historical Museum & Historical Society
11500 S. Beloit
Worth, Illinois 60482
The Village of Worth is surrounded by historical waterways. Its north border touches a 14,000 year old waterway known today as Stony Creek. This creek was also known as the Big Feeder during the I & M Canal era. Worth's south boarder is the Cal-Sag Channel which was completed in 1922 and is an intricate part the Illinois Waterway. Worth is also home to one of the Metropolitan Water District's waterfalls. Incorporated in 1914, Worth's colorful story actually begins as far back as the 1840's. A transitional period of time for canal workers, the Big Feeder being dug along with the I&M Canal created a transient population. It wasn't until 1858 when Worth's first permanent settler, John Crandall, built his home to stay. The family's descendents still reside here today. Since 1995 Worth's Historical Museum has been gathering and recording the information essential in preserving the village's rich history. The museum celebrates those who courageously endured the challenges of yesterday and to the people of Worth today, a hard working community striving to move Worth in a positive direction.
11500 S. Beloit - Three blocks west of Harlem at the intersection of 115th Street & Beloit.
Rooms 102 & 104
Worth, Illinois 60482
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday is Volunteer Day from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Please join us!
From more information please contact us by email. (Comments & Suggestions)
Sadly, the Museum Curator, Christine Brooks, who has been the welcoming face of the museum for over 10 years has resigned from her position because of the toxic environment the new administration as created. Chris loved the museum and the people who came to visit. Being a part of the Historical Society since its onset in 1995, the museum was like her second home and she was very sad to have been forced to leave. The Historical Society will miss her dearly.
The Worth Historical Society
We invite you to join us on a journey. A journey that offers you an opportunity to see the past, but extends an invitation to make your mark on the future. Come join us on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the museum where we are involved in many areas such as research, community relations, school programs, special events, display planning, and fellowship. Our door is always open.
The Historical Museum is located in Rooms 102 & 104 at the Terrace Center located at 11500 Beloit. The project was funded by a grant written by past Museum Curator, Christine Brooks. The grant was from the Department of Natural Resources Illinois State Museum's Public Museum Capital Grants Program. The larger room displays the museum's growing collections along with a Research Center to accommodate students and genealogists. The Grand Re-Opening was held on August 4, 2004. The museum is presently funded by a museum tax levy.
Under Construction:
1/6/04
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Opening:
8/4/04
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The first book about the history of Worth was released in 1995. The revised, second edition, is available free of charge. Books can be found at the front office of the Terrace Center, in the museum, and at the Worth Public Library.
Every Tuesday morning volunteers gather in the Museum's Resource Center to work on newspaper files. If you are looking to get involved in a fun project for your community please join us for some lively conversation and fellowship. This project does not require any physical labor. Volunteers clip, file & paste articles.
In recent years there has been a growing interest in the study of local and regional history through the lives of community residents. Traditionally, professional historians focused on official documents and written records usually produced by society's leaders. However, a new generation of social historians have been making a special effort to include other people whose voices and views have been largely ignored. The histories of ordinary families often contain important new information that complements the scant written records available on topics of local interest. Even subjects that are well documented can be enhanced by family histories that often reveal the neglected human side of the past. If this is a project that interests you, and you would like to have the opportunity to tell your story, please contact the Museum by email.
If you have not received the Second Edition of our Historical Buildings book, please stop by the museum for a free copy. Since there are only 40 homes featured in this book the museum is offering the opportunity for all homeowners in the village to have their home pictured in a book which is on display in the museum. Not only does this museum book provide an essential record of the community, it is an asset to the museum in order to keep history alive. If you would like to have your home in this book please stop by the museum for an application.
7030 Crandall 7127 111th Street(1) 7013 113th Street 6600 111th Street
7036 111th & Depot (1) 7036 111th & Depot(2) 6915 111th Street 6917 111th Street
7011 111th Street 7101 111th Street 7127 111th Street(2) 7240 107th Street
Stop by the museum and check out the 10-minute video about Worth's history.
In August, 1984 Congress created the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. Stretching 100 miles from Chicago to LaSalle, the nation's first National Heritage Corridor covers a region that was essential to a growing nation. The below map signifies the eastern section of the 100-mile long I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor. Information pertaining to the I & M Canal, Stony Creek, and the Cal Sag Channel is available at the museum.
Through photos, artifacts, newspaper clippings, and old maps, the Worth Historical Museum recreates a moment in time very different from today. Fragments of past lives are pieced together to form the story of Worth's rich history. The museum welcomes novice historians and research students alike. The museum's Resource Center, which also holds hundreds of books, is open mornings Monday - Friday. We have the necessary information needed by genealogists or for such projects as the Illinois History Fair. If you are a teacher or student interested in participating in the History Fair please contact the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Educational Services, 1 Old State Capitol, Springfield, IL 62701.
No programs at this time.
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Programming Available
The museum does offer programs for both adult and children's groups. Please contact us by email for more information.
Canallers in the Corridor
Canallers in the Corridor is a volunteer group who promote the story of the
Illinois & Michigan Canal era. The Canallers portray real and
composite characters of the 1800's. They share stories that reflect the daily
lives and extraordinary adventures of a pivotal chapter in the story of the
westward expansion. Programs are available. For more information
please contact Jim Carr (630-325-1528).
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The TFFC is a group of citizens who
advocate transparency in government. The following editorials, written by
its members, were printed in The Reporter &/or The Citizen Newspapers:
05/28/09
06/04/09
06/11/09 06/18/09 06/25/09 07/02/09
Please send me mail telling me what you think about this page or if you have specific information about early settlement.
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