Books & Boba with the Des Plaines Library
August 12; 2:00 — 3:00 pm
Join the Des Plaines Public Library to talk books and tv shows at the Des Plaines History Center; specifically, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins! Must be registered! For ages 13-19. Get your choice of any drink from Brew Lab while we discuss! Let us know what drink you would like us to order from Brew Coffee Lab when you register.
Need a book? Pick up The Hunger Games from the 3rd floor desk at the Des Plaines Public Library!
Our Land Between the Rivers: Illinois in Story & Song
August 19; 1:30 — 3:00 pm
Barry Cloyd is an award winning songwriter as well as a full-time touring musician with a special love for the history and music of our own Midwest. This newly commissioned program begins with a whirlwind trip back through time to the early days of the origins of our State and where it's name came from, the Illiniwek Nation of Native Americans. Some of the “stops along the way” include Abraham Lincoln's appearance in Illinois, The Black Hawk War, the creation of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, The Lincoln-Douglas Debates and The Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant's contributions, The Great Chicago Fire, the First Skyscraper, The Columbian Exposition, The Pullman Strike, Frank Lloyd Wright's genius, the Springfield Race Riots, “Lucky Lindy” in Illinois, Al Capone, Everett Dirksen, Carl Sandburg and a whole lot more. All this amazing history will be presented with songs that are germane to the period, traditional and original performed on guitar & 5-string banjo. Our state has been witness to, and a participant in, many of our nations most important events.
The 2026 Coffee Talk Series is generously supported by Village Bank & Trust.
Liberty in Action Challenge
September 6; 12:00 — 4:00 pm
The Liberty in Action Challenge is Scouting America’s initiative celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US, continuing their tradition of civic service. Scouts are invited to connected the founding ideals to modern society and real-world experiences.
Cub Scouts can earn their Liberty in Action Challenge emblem at this event on Sunday, September 6. Make your our messenger pouch, plays games from the 1700s, and learn about local history at the Des Plaines History Center. Cub Scouts will earn the entire patch.
Register today on Black Pug: scoutingevent.com/456-118582.
Fall Fest
September 18 — 20
Fall Fest at Lake Opeka returns for its 17th year! You will not want to miss the three days of family-friendly fun and free concerts!
Read more on the Fall Fest website at DesPlainesFallFest.org.
Ernest Shackleton and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration
September 23; 1:30 — 3:00 pm
At the moment, the September Coffee Talk is full. If you would like to join the waitlist, please call us at 847-391-5399 or email us at contact@desplaineshistory.org.
Ken Levine will discuss Ernest Shackleton's life and his four expeditions to the Antarctic. What makes his lectures different from others is that he includes various tidbits about some of the other members of his expeditions. Some of these members are well known (Frank Wild and Frank Worsely) and some are not (William Bakewell). Levine has been to Antarctica four times and visited museums and other exhibitions about this subject in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Argentina, Chile, Australia and New Zealand.
The 2026 Coffee Talk Series is generously supported by Village Bank & Trust.