What can you learn in 360 seconds? Find out on Feb. 18 when Preservation Oak Park hosts its second storytelling event at One Lake Brewing.
Called Oak Park 360, the free event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., limits story tellers to 360 seconds to share their knowledge about a topic related to local architecture, history or preservation.
Seven speakers are lined up to make presentations on the theme “On the Move,” encompassing all things having to do with movement, whether it’s the movement of people, cars or public transit.
Preservation Oak Park’s Christopher Payne says he’s looking forward to the evening after the success of the inaugural event last Nov. 13.
“Almost 90 people showed up last time. This time, One Lake is giving us the run.
of the whole restaurant. They have a really good sound system, and there will be
TVs offering views of the speakers throughout the restaurant. More people can
attend this time.”
Here are the seven scheduled speakers and topics:
· Alek Madry is an Oak Park native and history student who interned with the CTA. His talk will cover CTA planning for the West Side and how segregation impacted CTA development.
· OPRF History Museum Executive Director Frank Lipo will speak on moving buildings. Lipo, whose college thesis focused on the physical transportation of buildings, will talk about local structures that have been moved from their original lots.
· Kenneth Sinko will speak about the architecture of Oak Park’s Motor Row on Madison Street.
· Anna Maria Manuel will cover the history of Philander Barclay who photographed Oak Park from 1902 to 1940 while riding his bicycle around
town.
· Lively Athletics’ Anne Pezzala will discuss her store’s “Govember” event which challenges local runners and walkers to visit every block in the village during the month of November.
· Architect Michael Rogers, who worked for 32 years as an architect for McDonalds and also is a past trustee of the Village of Maywood, will discuss Maywood’s Underground Railroad memorial.
· Anne Sullivan, John H. Bryan endowed chair of Historic Preservation at the School of the Art Institute Chicago, will talk about Mid-Century Modern stations
on the Green Line, including the Austin stop in Oak Park.
Payne said he’s thrilled with how people have embraced the storytelling events and says, “There’s an energy behind this. A lot of people are excited.”
The plan is to hold the events on a quarterly basis, and the summer event’s theme
of art will be another reason to come out and listen to some stories.
“On the Move” takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at One Lake Brewing, which
is located at 1 Lake St. in Oak Park. Doors will open at 6:30 and speakers will
begin at 7:30. For more information or to register: