Marvel at these extraordinary feats of engineering and imagination, fully operational and beautifully restored vintage automobiles, all owned by Oak Park residents, lining the streets outside the OPRF Museum on Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cars from the 20s, 30s up through the 90s are expected to be on display.
A Ford Model T and a Model A, as well as woody station wagons, will be in the mix near downtown Oak Park. The show is a great opportunity to stroll leisurely down Oak Park streets and look over a wide range of vintage cars. Members of the Oak Park Vintage Car Club will be on hand to answer questions, share their extensive knowledge of the history of automobiles, and tell stories about their own beloved vehicles. The exhibit begins on the corner of Lake Street and Lombard Avenue, extending onto South Boulevard between Lombard and Harvey.
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The Vintage Car Show is a favorite among the museum's many great events and exhibits. Currently, the OPRF Museum is celebrating the sesquicentennial of Oak Park River Forest High School with the "Ever Changing, Yet the Same: OPRF High School at 150" exhibit that runs through 2025.
The featured exhibit, "Open House: The Legacy of Fair Housing" explores how the community's decision to embrace racial integration more than 50 years ago still shapes the village today. "Tarzan, Mars, and the Literary Worlds of Oak Park and River Forest" introduces Edgar Rice Burroughs and other authors inspired by the OPRF community to create fantastic fictional worlds. In 2021, for its first annual Oak Park Juneteenth celebration, the museum developed a self-guided Black History Tour with 16 stops you can see by bike, car, or on foot when you visit Oak Park.
The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest operates the Oak Park River Forest Museum and Jeanette S. and Ellis K. Fields Research Center in an 1898 landmark building that was once a firehouse. The village of Oak Park is just 10 miles from Chicago's Loop, easily accessible by car or public transportation. During the week, parking is generally available on both Lake Street and Lombard Avenue, and on weekends, parking is available on Lake Street.
The OPRF Museum includes a children's activity space and rotating exhibits on many different eras and aspects of local history. It is home to an ever-growing collection of photographs, vintage costumes, and artifacts donated by families, organizations, and local businesses. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and admission fees – $5 for Oak Park and River Forest residents, $7 for non-residents, and $3 for students – support the vital mission of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest to preserve the history and artifacts that represent the community's vibrant heritage, ensuring that the stories and lessons of its rich past remain accessible for generations to come. It operates solely from the support of memberships, earned income, and the generosity of local residents and businesses.
It's easy to get to Oak Park – just 10 miles from Chicago's Loop and less than half an hour from O'Hare Airport – and there's so much to do once you arrive. Known for its hometown heroes, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ernest Hemingway, the village of Oak Park offers fascinating architecture and historical landmarks, dining options from traditional Ethiopian dishes at Addis Cafe and New Orleans-inspired seafood at Cajun Boil and Bar to classic breakfast and lunch diner favorites at Al's Grill, plus beautiful parks, unique locally owned shops featuring billions of beads, back-to-basic toys, and chic women's designs, as well as a wide range of family-friendly activities.
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Explore the history of the automobile with fellow car enthusiasts during the third annual Vintage Car Show at the Oak Park River Forest Museum on June 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oak Park Vintage Auto Club members will be on hand to share stories and the history of their marvelous machines. Admission to the OPRF Museum is free during this outdoor exhibit, so step inside to learn about significant events that shaped Oak Park.
Make a day of it by visiting the shops, restaurants, parks, and so much more in beautiful Oak Park, River Forest, and neighboring communities.
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Where: 129 Lake St Oak Park, IL
When: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.