Grayslake Heritage Center highlights history

Grayslake has put itself on the map.

After countless hours of hard work and dedication, the village and Grayslake Historical Society unveiled the new Grayslake Heritage Center and Village Municipal History Museum during a dedication ceremony Aug. 15.

I attended a sneak preview of the center and museum two days earlier.

The new facility blew me away.

Beautifully-constructed exhibits are part of the new structure, which includes permanent and rotating exhibit halls, one of which is named after Charlotte Renehan, president of the Grayslake Historical Society.

During the sneak preview event, Renehan asked that visitors to the center recognize all who worked to make the new museum possible.

“When you see my name, think of the countless volunteers,” she said.

Mayor Rhett Taylor noted that the center would further preserve the history of Grayslake, which was established in 1895.

“This is very exciting, and I think it’s a great thing for the town,” Taylor said. “Grayslake has stood solid throughout the 20th century, and it will grow stronger and stronger and stronger ... you couldn’t build this or create this, but you can preserve and protect it.”

Not only was I floored by the high quality of the exhibits in the new center, but I also became somewhat emotional when I stumbled upon one particular display.

There – in the permanent exhibit that tells the history of Grayslake – was a display about the Grayslake Times newspaper, a publication I reported for up until our company purchased the paper in December 2005.

When I saw the display, I was brought back in time. And though I could only relate to the paper for the one year I worked there (in total, the Grayslake Times operated for more than 100 years), the feeling I got allowed me to understand how other visitors to the center are going to feel when they look at its displays.

And I don’t think you have to have grown up in Grayslake to appreciate the new facility. Those who enjoy Lake County history – or any kind of history, for that matter – will appreciate the center as well.