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Fox Valley Reads is a partnership between three libraries in the Fox Valley corridor in Northern Illinois. The Aurora Public Library, the Oswego Public Library District and the Messenger Public Library of North Aurora are working cooperatively to plan and promote reading and appreciation of classic literature in our communities by offering programs, tours, book discussions and other opportunities for neighbors to discover and share great literature. This fall we partner with the Burnham Plan Centennial to honor Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago and celebrate the Big Plans and Big Dreams that shaped the Chicago area during its first century.
Partner Category: Cultural Institution or Organization
Centennial Activities
Sunday, October 25, 2009 1:00pm
Burnham's Vision Today: Open Space as a Necessity, Not a Luxury
Fox Valley Reads
Discover why the Chicago area boasts some of the best open space systems in the nation. This slide presentation of preserved, restored and protected areas in the local area offers examples of environmental stewardship's best practices. Tour the nature trails and restored prairie around the Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove campus.
Sponsored by the Aurora Public Library and presented in cooperation with the Conservation Foundation, Naperville, IL. [MORE]
Saturday, October 24, 2009 2:30pm
Chicago on Screen
Aurora Public Library
Sarah Marcus of the Chicago Historical Society takes you on a history of Chicago through television and film. From its early twentieth century role as a movie-making center to its curent on-screen appearances, the city and its residents have played integral roles in the history of film. Using a variety of clips, this presentation explores the intersecting histories of two cities—the real city of Chicago and the "reel" city seen on screen—and reflects on lasting impressions created by flashing images on the screen.
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Thursday, October 15, 2009 7:00pm
Chicago Through the Eyes of Daniel Burnham
Oswego Public Library
Daniel Burnham, architect of the 1909 Plan of Chicago, leads you through the history of the city he loved so well. From the Fort Dearborn Massacre to the Columbian Exposition of 1893; from the Union Stockyards to the city's fabulous architecture. Burnam — played by actor and historian Terry Lynch — will introduce you to the people and events that shaped the "Windy City" and helped to transform it from the "Wild Onion" to the "City of Big Shoulders." [MORE]
Sunday, October 18, 2009 2:00pm
Eastland Disaster: "Chicago's Titanic"
Aurora Public Library
On July 24, 1915, the SS Eastland was boarding passengers along the Chicago River for an all-day picnic excursion. But during boarding, something went terribly wrong—the Eastland rolled into the river with more than 2000 people aboard. More than 800 people lost their lives that day. The Eastland Disaster Historical Society tells the story of what became known as “Chicago’s Titanic”—the tragedy & its causes, the rescue efforts, and the impact on the families who were there that fateful day.
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Thursday, October 29, 2009 7:00pm
No Little Plans: The Roads of Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago
Messenger Public Library
Take a look at Daniel Burnham's concepts for road building that included grand boulevards, as well as a system of radiating and encircling highways throughout Chicago and the suburbs. He wrote, "While good highways are of great value to the terminal cities, they are of even greater value to the outlying towns and of greatest value to the farming communities through which they pass." This presentation looks at the four encircling and many radiating highways proposed by The Plan and how that plan differed markedly from our current dependence on tollways and expressways. [MORE]
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 7:00pm
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871: A Presentation and Tour of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum
Fox Valley Reads
Did the cow do it? What was so "great" about the Chicago Fire? Did you know that Aurora sent firefighters to battle the big blaze? Join us for a lively discussion/multimedia presentation on the history of the Great Chicago Fire. Following the program, visitors have an opportunity to see real artifacts that survived the Great Chicago Fire and tour the Aurora Regional Fire Museum's interactive exhibit "Getting There, Getting Water, Getting Rescued."
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009 7:00pm
The Plan of Chicago Presentation
Oswego Public Library
Jeff Mishur of Art Excursions speaks about Daniel Burnham's vision for Chicago and its environs. From the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition to the City Beautiful Movement, this presentation will depict how Burnham's plan shaped Chicago and suburbs for generations of residents and visitors. [MORE]
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:30am to 5:00pm
Visit Burnham's Chicago
Fox Valley Reads
Spend a pleasant day seeing Daniel Burnham's contribution to Chicago's architecture and urban planning on this day trip to the city. Our tour will include stops at the Rookery and the Monadnock Building. Learn about the development of the Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the 1909 Plan of Chicago and find examples of what has survived of these projects. Top the trip off with a great lunch at Riva Navy Pier.
Tour guide provided by Chicago Meetings & More, Inc.
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