Artifact of the Month

2018 Artifacts of the Month

2015.15.1

January 2018

Souvenir Handkerchief

Naperville resident Claude Grimes served in the US Navy during World War I. He sent home, or brought back, this souvenir handkerchief from his time in France. Souvenirs like this were very common and many were sent home to loved ones or brought home after the war.

2016.75.1

February 2018

Debbie’s Gift Shoppe Ashtray

This ashtray is from Debbie’s Gift Shoppe in Naperville. It was located at Routes 59 & 65. Route 65 is now known as Aurora Avenue.

2005.1.94

March 2018 

Aerial View of Downtown Naperville

This color aerial photograph shows downtown Naperville around 1956, looking north with Main Street running vertically through the center and Washington Street at the far right. The DuPage River is visible just along the center bottom of the photograph.

2015.9.1

April 2018 

Moser Lumber Measuring Cup

This plastic measuring cup is from the Moser Lumber Do-it Center, which was located in Naperville on Washington Street just south of the train tracks.

P885

May 2018 

Naperville Civil War Veterans Photograph

This black and white photograph shows a group of Civil War veterans from Naperville posed in their uniforms. This photo was taken at a Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) reunion in the 1880s.

P 3482

June 2018

Burlington Park Photograph

Burlington Park was in operation in Naperville in the 1890s and on summer weekends as many as 10,000 people a day would take the train out from Chicago to visit the park. The 60-acre park had a lake for boating, a baseball park, racetrack, dance pavilion, bowling alley, merry-go-round and a large dining and refreshment hall.

2005.14.1

July 2018 

Fatout’s Koffee Kup Salt and Pepper Shakers

This pair of red and white plastic salt and pepper shakers, is from Fatout’s Koffee Kup in Naperville. They date to the mid 1950s. Fatout’s was located in downtown Naperville at 107 W. Jefferson Avenue.

2013.69.1

August 2018 

Award-Winning Sheep

Siblings Dick and Carolyn Berger grew up on a farm in Naperville. Dick and Carolyn were involved with 4-H and with the Future Farmers of America. Here they are posed with their award-winning sheep in 1962.

P 1115

September 2018 

Naperville High School Freshman Class

Here’s the Freshman Class of Naperville High School in 1942.

2016.28.23

October 2018 

Jack O’ Lantern Decoration

This vintage die cut Jack O’ Lantern with jointed arms and legs was made by the Beistle Company, one of the largest manufacturers of Halloween decorations in the United States.