First Families

A Bohemian Presence: The Artist's Colony in Lake Bluff

In the early 1900s, a number of artists and literary figures drawn to the beauty and proximity of Lake Bluff's lake and ravines lived in an area that became known as "The Artists Colony". The impact of these artists and intellectuals far exceeded the boundaries of the Village and built on a legacy of creative spirit extending back to the Chautauqua inspired Lake Bluff camp meetings. O'Hara and Rolek discuss several key figures whose artistic legacy continues to ripple through Lake Bluff's cultural landscape.

A Haven for Children: The Lake Bluff Children's Home

The 1890s were a period of painful economic recession and a time of extreme social dislocation during which thousands of orphans and children whose parents could not afford to care for them were given up for adoption. The arrival of six children brought to Lake Bluff by the Metodist Deaconesses in 1894, the 75-year saga of the Lake Bluff Children's Home (LBCH) began. Its development, success and ultimate decline present a unique story of social service and community engagement, highlights of which are shared in this podcast.

Banning Booze: Lake Bluff's role in the Prohibition Movement

Frances Willard and others who summered in Lake Bluff were instrumental in the adoption of the 18th Amendment. While intended to cure numerous societal ills, this nationwide prohibition of alcohol instead resulted in rise of crime and bootlegging. Tune in as hosts O'Hara and Rolek discuss how Lake Bluff played a role in prohibition of alcohol nationwide and in the illegal transport of alcohol during the years the 18th Amendment was in effect.

A Daughter of Chautauqua: The Lake Bluff Camp Meeting

In the mid-1870s, Lake Bluff was transformed into a summer resort modeled after New York's Chautauqua when a group of Methodist ministers and businessmen started the Lake Bluff Camp Meeting Association. The Camp Meeting offered an escape from the city and an opportunity to enjoy activities and lectures centered around education, religion, the arts and recreation. Hosts Joanna Rolek and hisorian, Kathy O'Hara.

First Families

The second episode in Lake Bluff History Museum's podcast series, First Families provides listeners a closer look at several of the families who moved to Lake Bluff in the 1830s as hosts Kathy O'Hara and Joanna Rolek share stories of the contributions these families made to the community. The Museum teamed with the Lake Bluff 250 committee to create 16 episodes of curated local history in honor of the USA's 250th anniversary. Museum co-founder Kathy O'Hara and Joanna Rolek (director of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce) discuss Lake Bluff's most fascinating chapters. New episodes are released each Thursday.