Gaylord Building Historic Site
Educational Programs and Events
(As of 04/11/2008)

May 8, 2008 (Thursday)
Dinner & A Lecture – Packet Boats on the I & M Canal

For a brief period passenger boats once traveled along the I & M Canal.   This year a real horse-drawn packet boat will once again float along the western end of the canal in LaSalle.  Join historian Rob Vasile as he examines both the design and construction of the packet boats that once traversed the I & M Canal, as well as life on board for crews and passengers. 

Ron Vasile is the former Historian of the Canal Corridor Association and currently a history teacher at Lockport Township High School.  Mr. Vasile is author of numerous works about the I & M Canal.     

Mr. Vasile’s program is the second session of the Dinner & A Lecture spring series.  The educational series is held monthly at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL) and catered by the Public Landing Restaurant.  Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a cash-bar reception followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, and the lecture at 7:30 pm.  May guests choose from a menu of cuisine to be announced.

The program fee, which includes dinner, is $31 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and National Trust for Historic Preservation or $37 for non-members.  Registration discounts are available for the entire spring series (April, May, and June).  Reservations are required for all sessions.  Please call 815.588.1100 to register and for additional information. 

May 12, 2008 (Monday)
Family Roots & Branches – Oral History Interviews   

With the passing of each generation vital family information vanishes.  The amount of lost history can be minimized if someone takes the time to record the memories of our older family members.  However, an oral history interview is not as easy as a conversation during dinner, but it should be.  Join Mark Harmon to discover the dos and don’ts for a successful interview, as well as what to do with the information once you have it. 

Mark Harmon is Director of the Gaylord Building Historic Site.  He has been conducting genealogical research professionally and personally for more than a quarter century.  He holds a BA and MA in History from the University of Akron, and post-graduate work at Northern Illinois University.  He is also a contributor to The Encyclopedia of Chicago History.  

This is the second session of the Family Roots & Branches workshops.  This quarterly educational program is intended to provide guidance for people seeking information about their kith and kin.  Each session will be held at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL), beginning at 7:00pm on selected Mondays.  Admission is $6 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and $9 for non-members.  Reservations are required.  Please call 1.815.588.1100 for reservations and additional information.

June 12, 2008 (Thursday)
Dinner & A Lecture

The Topic and speaker are to be announced at a later time.    

The program is the third session of the Dinner & A Lecture spring series.  The educational series is held monthly at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL) and catered by the Public Landing Restaurant.  Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a cash-bar reception followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, and the lecture at 7:30 pm.  June guests choose from a menu of cuisine to be announced.

The program fee, which includes dinner, is $31 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and National Trust for Historic Preservation or $37 for non-members.  Registration discounts are available for the entire spring series (April, May, and June).  Reservations are required for all sessions.  Please call 815.588.1100 to register and for additional information. 

July 10, 2008 (Thursday)
Dinner & A Lecture – Emerging Initiatives in Preservation

Historic Preservation has come of age in the last few years, with ever wider popular acceptance leading to the steady integration of preservation to the mainstream of our society.  Yet preservationists continue to face new challenges every day as new threats to historic resources emerge.  In the last few years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as the national voice of the preservation movement has been trying to take the offensive in the fight to save our best places for future generations with some success.  Join Mr. Royce Yeater for an overview of the emerging new ideas and programs on the drawing board at the Trust which will support preservation at the local level as never before, while simultaneously increasing our visibility and base of support nationally.

Royce Yeater, AIA, is Midwest Director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  He has a professional degree in architecture (NDSU, 1969) and a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation (UVa, 1975).  He practiced architecture, focusing on institutional facilities and historic preservation projects, from 1975 to 1983 with Foss Associates in Fargo, ND.  In that year he founded YHR Partners in Moorhead Minnesota, and in 1997 moved to Minneapolis to establish a branch office for that firm.  While in practice, Royce also founded and served on a variety of boards and commissions of non profit organizations in the field of historic preservation, at the local, state, regional, and national level.  In September of 2001, he left his practice to head the Midwest Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Chicago.  There he focuses on building the capacity of state and local preservation organizations and develops strategies to confront new and emerging threats to historic resources in eight Midwestern states.

Mr. Yeater’s program is the first session of the Dinner & A Lecture summer series.  The educational series is held monthly at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL) and catered by the Public Landing Restaurant.  Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a cash-bar reception followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, and the lecture at 7:30 pm.  July guests choose from a menu of cuisine to be announced.

The program fee, which includes dinner, is $31 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and National Trust for Historic Preservation or $37 for non-members.  Registration discounts are available for the entire summer series (July, August, and September).  Reservations are required for all sessions.  Please call 815.588.1100 to register and for additional information. 

July 16, 2008 (Wednesday)
Summer Dinner Promenade

Do you enjoy scrumptious cuisine, sparkling conversation, and splendid entertainment – all at enchanting places?  Adults ages 18 and up are invited to join us for the second annual progressive dinner between Lockport four cultural attractions - Gaylord Building Historic Site, Gladys Fox Museum, Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery, and Will County Historical Society.  

This year’s event will include two sessions: Afternoon from 2:00pm to 5:00pm; and Evening from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.  Admission is $40 per person, but there is a Senior Special of $35 for the Afternoon session only.  Reservations are required by calling 815.588.1100 (Canal Corridor Association) by Monday, July 14, 2008. 

August 11, 2008 (Monday)
Family Roots & Branches – TBA   

Topic and speaker to be announced. 

This is the third session of the Family Roots & Branches workshops.  This quarterly educational program is intended to provide guidance for people seeking information about their kith and kin.  Each session will be held at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL), beginning at 7:00pm on selected Mondays.  Admission is $6 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and $9 for non-members.  Reservations are required.  Please call 1.815.588.1100 for reservations and additional information.

August 14, 2008 (Thursday)
Dinner & A Lecture

The topic and speaker are to be announced at a later time.   

The program is the second session of the Dinner & A Lecture summer series. The educational series is held monthly at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL) and catered by the Public Landing Restaurant.  Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a cash-bar reception followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, and the lecture at 7:30 pm.  August guests choose from a menu of cuisine to be announced. 

The program fee, which includes dinner, is $31 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and National Trust for Historic Preservation or $37 for non-members.  Registration discounts are available for the entire summer series (July, August, and September).  Reservations are required for all sessions.  Please call 815.588.1100 to register and for additional information.  Net proceeds benefit the Gaylord Building, a National Trust Historic Site managed by the Canal Corridor Association. 

October 9, 2008 (Thursday)
Dinner & A Lecture – Building the Exotic: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Maya Influence

Through his encounter with the reproduced Maya structures at the World's Columbian Exposition, Frank Lloyd Wright became familiar with a style of ornament that would enter his architectural design in the ensuing years.  Mr. Brian Reis will investigate the Chicago Exposition, the Maya reproductions installed there, and the buildings that Mr. Wright designed using the Maya ruins as inspiration.     

Brian Reis is Assistant Curator of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust.   

Mr. Reis’ program is the first session of the Dinner & A Lecture autumn series. The educational series is held monthly at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL) and catered by the Public Landing Restaurant.  Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a cash-bar reception followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, and the lecture at 7:30 pm.  October guests choose from a menu of cuisine to be announced. 

The program fee, which includes dinner, is $31 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and National Trust for Historic Preservation or $37 for non-members.  Registration discounts are available for the entire autumn series (October, November, and December).  Reservations are required for all sessions.  Please call 815.588.1100 to register and for additional information. 

November 10, 2008 (Monday)
Family Roots & Branches – TBA   

Topic and speaker to be announced. 

This is the fourth session of the Family Roots & Branches workshops.  This quarterly educational program is intended to provide guidance for people seeking information about their kith and kin.  Each session will be held at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL), beginning at 7:00pm on selected Mondays.  Admission is $6 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and $9 for non-members.  Reservations are required.  Please call 1.815.588.1100 for reservations and additional information.

November 13, 2008 (Thursday)
Dinner & A Lecture – Amusements in the Heritage Corridor

Every year millions of Americans are thrilled by rollercoasters, ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds and other rides at the countless amusement parks across the nation.  Some parks have been lost to history while others continue to thrive.  Join Mr. Stan Barker as he takes a nostalgic look at the current and defunct amusement parks located within the I & M Canal National Heritage Corridor, such as Lockport’s own Dellwood Park.

Stan Barker is Archivist of the National Amusement Park Historical Association.    

Mr. Barker’s program is the second session of the Dinner & A Lecture autumn series. The educational series is held monthly at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL) and catered by the Public Landing Restaurant.  Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a cash-bar reception followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, and the lecture at 7:30 pm.  November guests choose from a menu of cuisine to be announced. 

The program fee, which includes dinner, is $31 for members of the Canal Corridor Association and National Trust for Historic Preservation or $37 for non-members.  Registration discounts are available for the entire autumn series (October, November, and December).  Reservations are required for all sessions.  Please call 815.588.1100 to register and for additional information. 

December 11, 2008 (Thursday)
Dinner & A Lecture – Candy and Chocolate in Northern Illinois

Join us for a sweet affair as we discover the history and scrumptious delights of candy and chocolates made in the Chicago metropolitan region.  

Edmond F. Opler III is President & CEO of World’s Finest Chocolate.  

Mr. Opler’s program is the third session of the Dinner & A Lecture winter series. The educational series is held monthly at the Gaylord Building (200 W. 8^th St., Lockport, IL) and catered by the Public Landing Restaurant.  Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a cash-bar reception followed by dinner at 6:30 pm, and the lecture at 7:30 pm.  December guests choose from a menu of cuisine to be announced. 

LOCKPORT SLEEPERS VINTAGE BASE BALL CLUB
The Lockport Sleepers Vintage Base Ball Club cordially invites ladies, gentlemen and children to participate in its 2008 activities as volunteer interpreters.  The Sleepers interpret the national pastime as it was played prior to the Civil War.  Ballists (players) use reproduction equipment, wear period uniforms, and play by 1858 rules.  Bugs (fans) wear appropriate period clothing with accessories and root for the Sleepers, providing the general public with historical information about the antebellum period.  The current roster of ballists and bugs range in age from 20s to 50s and reside in numerous communities throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, including Lockport. 

Gentlemen who are interested in becoming “ballists” or ladies and other gentlemen who are interested in simply becoming “bugs” should contact Mark Harmon at 815.588.1100.

The Lockport Sleepers VBBC is an educational program of the Gaylord Building, a National Trust Historic Site managed by the Canal Corridor Association. For additional information about the Sleepers click here.

CHECK BACK HERE LATER FOR UPDATES TO THESE AND OTHER
ACTIVITIES OF THE
GAYLORD BUILDING HISTORIC SITE.