Welcome to OLPL’s Local History page. The Local History room is a small museum full of photos, objects, books, maps, stories and other items that chronicle and celebrate Oak Lawn’s colorful history. On this page you’ll find easy buttons to do specific searches, links to local history databases containing old newspapers and obituaries, and upcoming programs and events. The museum is located on the second floor of the Library.

Local History area has its own website where you can search our entire collection: https://olpl.pastperfectonline.com/

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jazz & Music Legends of Oak Lawn: Coming in April 2024

Opens Saturday, April 27 from 6-8 p.m. (after Library hours)
Location: Second Floor Local History Room

Join us for a celebration and exhibition of the Oak Lawn Jazz Festival days. Oak Lawn Community High School hosted one of the biggest high school jazz competitions in the country for nearly 25 years, from 1960-1985. High school jazz and stage bands from Chicago and all across Illinois competed for the prestigious first place trophy and individual performance awards. We’ll display photos and memorabilia in the Local History room, enjoy refreshments and feature a musical tribute, all after-hours on the Library’s second floor.

Included in the exhibit will be an homage to rock n’ roll music in Oak Lawn, featuring concert photos by local a photographer who worked with both REO Speedwagon and Styx, bands with deep roots in Oak Lawn. The exhibit will last throughout 2024. Follow-up musical performances by various jazz groups will be scheduled and announced throughout the year.

We hope you’ll join us to reminisce and celebrate Oak Lawn’s great music scene and legends!

If you have memories or items from the jazz fest days, please help us by adding these items to our exhibit. Contact Tom Javorcic, tjavorcic@olpl.org.

Please contact Tom Javorcic with any questions or donations to our collection. Tjavorcic@olpl.org, or call (708) 422-4990, ext. 530