Elmhurst Historical Museum will commemorate ecology and green living by presenting a cooperative community poster project, Eco Elmhurst: Shaping the Future of Elmhurst, from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, April 3-May 6, in the second floor gallery at the museum, 120 E. Park Ave. Admission is free.
Eco Elmhurst brings together young environmentalists and the greater community to highlight environmental issues and show ways that everyone can work together to ensure the future of the earth.
The project is an opportunity for local eco clubs to showcase the important work they are doing to care for the environment, said Eileen Murphy, the museum’s community program coordinator
“The seeds for Eco Elmhurst were actually planted by my grandchildren,” Murphy said. “They told me about their involvement in the eco club at their school, and I was impressed with their commitment and concern. I thought it would be wonderful if the community could see the positive work these young environmentalists are doing.”
The response to Murphy’s initial inquiries at the schools was highly enthusiastic, and in no time she had 14 clubs on board from local elementary and middle schools, York High School’s Eco Club and the Elmhurst College Green Jays. Inland Bank offered to sponsor the program and will make a donation to each eco club to underwrite future green activities.
“The posters are really creative and beautiful,” Murphy said. “There’s even an amazing hand-crocheted coral reef. It’s obvious that the young people in our community are very engaged in ecological efforts, and we are thrilled with the opportunity to bring Eco Elmhurst to the public.”
In addition to the student posters, Elmhurst Historical Museum also will have on display a doll house made entirely of recycled materials. The doll house is on loan for the Eco Elmhurst display from Elmhurst resident Shirley Myers. The house was made in the early 1990s by her mother, Virginia Little.
Eco Elmhurst Programs and Events
To celebrate the Eco Elmhurst poster project, Elmhurst Historical Museum will host an open house for participants and their families from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 15. Eco Elmhurst Family Day will include a brief presentation at 1:30 p.m. in the museum, and kids will be able to make hummingbird feeders in the Education Center. Representatives from Elmhurst’s Cool Cities program and the Elmhurst Park District Green Team will be on hand to discuss local ecology initiatives. Eco Elmhurst Family Day is open to the public and is sponsored by Inland Bank.
At 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19, the museum will present Elms Among Us in the Education Center. Kunso Kim, Morton Arboretum head of collections, will discuss the legacy of elm trees, his ongoing work studying elms and the challenges of fighting Dutch elm disease. Find out how elm trees are making a comeback in recent years. This program is free, and no reservations are required.
For more information on Eco Elmhurst and related programs and events, visit Elmhurst Historical Museum’s website or call (630) 833-1457.
