Before 1700, the Potawatomi lived in the upper Great Lakes region. During the 18th century however, they were forced south from their homes by invading Iroquois war parties. The Iroquois battled for hunting rights and the Potawatomi were not numerous enough to fight back.
Historic Native Americans in the Fox River Valley
Many different groups migrated in and out of the Northern Illinois region from the time of Columbus (1492) to the white settlement of the Fox River valley (1833). Most of the groups were Algonquin-speaking people and included the Sauk, Fox, Illiniwek, Kickapoos, Miamis, Potawatomi, Menominee, and Winnebago.
Native Americans
Present day prehistoric archaeologists take part in heated debates over the peopling of North America. The most widely regarded theory is that people migrated over the now non-existent land bridge between Russia and Alaska and trickled down the coast of North and South America, gradually moving inward. The people are estimated to have started populating the Americas either 30,000 years ago or 12,000 years ago.
Preface
Holiday Gala 2022 is History!
Wow, are my feet killing me!
We had a great time, Friday, December 9, 2022, at the St. Charles Country Club! From cocktail hour to the last line dance, we had a blast.
Huge congrats to the Fundraising Committee for their work. Darlene, Monica, and Brian hit it out of the park! Special mention to Pat Pretz and Naomi Bosko for their help with the Silent Auction baskets.
If you want to see if we caught you doing The Hustle during the event, or just want to see what kind of fun we got up to, check out our photographer, Karen Muehlfeld’s gallery of photos online: https://keepingmoments.pixieset.com/stcharleshistorymuseumholidaygala/
You can even order your own copies there!
Thank you to former Mayor Ray Rogina for his yeoman work as Honorary Chair of the event. I had fun introducing everyone.
Food was incredible! I have to check and see how much a Social Membership is at the CC.
Event Manager Carla and staff were wonderful, professional and very helpful!
Maureen Christine was a star, as always. Her music makes every event!
Mark your calendars! We’re doing it again at the St. Charles Country Club on December 8, 2023! We’ll be celebrating our 90th Anniversary, too!
One of the Finest Museums in Kane County
The St. Charles History Museum has been nominated as One of the Finest Museums in Kane County Magazine’s Finest Reader’s Choice contest! Thousands of readers nominated their favorite businesses from a variety of categories, including pet care, dining, personal services and more.
Thank you to all who voted for the St. Charles History Museum. This recognition follows two 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards in both the Daily Herald Newspaper and Glancer Magazine.
Adopt an Artifact!
Join Us for Spring Break - History Happens Here!
Who: Children ages 6-12
What: Watch a Junior Historians video about a history topic in St. Charles and make a take-home craft that goes along with the theme.
Where: St. Charles History Museum, 215 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Craft Schedule:
Tuesday, March 29th: History of St. Charles Dams & Water Power and make your own set of gears!
Wednesday, March 30th: History of Hotel Baker and make your own washcloth animal!
Thursday, March 31st: History of Pottawatomie Park and go on a scavenger hunt with your family!
Friday, April 1st: History of postcards and learn to make your own berry ink!
Saturday, April 2nd: History of farm life and learn to make your own butter!
Note: This program is NOT a camp. The program will last 1-1.5 hours.
The Story of St Charles, Illinois - Pride of the Fox
Letter from the Board President, Steve Gibson
20 January 2022
Dear Members and Friends of the Museum,
It is truly an honor to serve as President of the St. Charles History Museum for the next two years. I am fortunate to follow the expert example of outgoing President Mike Corbett. He and the rest of the Museum Board have assembled a talented staff at the Museum, and I look forward to working with them to further our mission to collect, preserve and present the history and heritage of St. Charles.
When I arrived in St. Charles in 2009, I was excited to be back in the Chicago suburbs. I quickly felt right at home here, and when I had the opportunity to join the St. Charles Historic Preservation Commission at Mayor Ray Rogina’s request, I accepted. That proved to be the catalyst for what has become, frankly, my obsession with the history of St. Charles.
I look forward to expanding and deepening that knowledge in my new role. Still, my highest priority is to work with this excellent Museum staff to institute policies and processes that will enable us to efficiently leverage our limited resources to provide a world-class History Museum experience to the residents of St. Charles. I look forward to meeting all of the members, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if there’s anything I can do to improve your Museum experience or answer a question about St. Charles’ history.
Sincerely,
Steve Gibson
President, St. Charles History Museum
