Dwight Historical Society

05/28/2026

05/13/2026

Due to a glitch by the radio station, Bill Pearch's interview about Dwight's own Frank L. Smith will be aired Thursday, May 14, 9 am WPOK 93.7 fm on your dial! We will be listening to the interview at the Historic Depot. You are welcome to join us!

05/05/2026

Turn your radio dial to 93.7 FM tomorrow morning at 9 to hear Kent Casson interview Bill Pearch about his Frank L. Smith program.

05/05/2026

Dwight's weekend Route 66 Celebration was a great one, and the Historical Society was delighted to be a part of it!
We want to thank the Village of Dwight and Route 66 Family Restaurant who sponsored the vintage ballgame with us. The restaurant provided a full chicken dinner for the hungry and appreciative ballplayers. Thanks also to Mary Boma for her work on the special edition vintage newspaper.
We also want to thank the very entertaining panel who shared their stories about their experiences on Route 66: Phil Becker, Jim Livingston, Mike Metzke, Harlan Olson, and Donnie McNamara. Thanks to Stephanie Flott for making the slides for the trivia contest. Thanks to Carson Wood for the use of the lovely Garden Room and Ashley for helping us set up.
Special thanks to all who visited our new Route 66 display at the museum, bought raffle tickets and pottery, made donations, attended the panel discussion and played Route 66 Trivia!

05/03/2026

Dwight’s Red Carpet Weekend activities continue with a host of activities. We’ll be greeting visitors at the museum from 9 to 1. Stop in to see the Route 66 displays, buy a raffle ticket for the Route 66 quilt, pick up a commemorative pottery dish, or just say hello.

“Mother Road at the Mansion” promises something for everyone with a car show, an art show, live music, food, and a beer garden! Don’t forget to come inside! Some of our favorite Dwight natives, Phil Becker, Jim Livingston, Mike Metzke, Donnie McNamara, and Harlan Olson, will be sharing their stories about the early years on Route 66 at 2 pm in the Garden Room. You can test your Route 66 knowledge in a just-for-fun Route 66 trivia contest at 3 pm. You can also see the quilt, buy the raffle tickets and the pottery at the Mansion.

05/02/2026

Visit the Texaco Welcome Center and the museum before the Vintage Baseball game at 1 at Renfrew Park!

04/30/2026

Dwight Historical Society Celebrates Rt 66 The Dwight Historical Society is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 with a new exhibit in the museum as well as hosting several events during the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival. We hope you will plan to attend some of these events.   Muse...

04/26/2026

One of the many events taking place next weekend!

Vintage baseball at 1pm Saturday, May 2 @ Renfrew Park.

Enjoy the game of baseball as it was originally conceived! The Blue Island Brewmasters and Lemont Quarrymen will play in a match according to the rules of 1858, complete with period-correct uniforms and equipment. This family-friendly event is free to attend – just bring chairs or a picnic blanket to enjoy the game!

To learn about the rules of Vintage Baseball check out the link to our website.
https://dwightillinois.org/residents/events/

04/25/2026

The museum in the Historic Depot will be open today from 10-1. We’re getting ready to celebrate Red Carpet Weekend (May 2-3) and the 100th Anniversary of Route 66! Come check out our new exhibit featuring the businesses that flourished on Dwight’s section of the Mother Road, get a unique piece of pottery commissioned for the occasion and grab a raffle ticket to win a Route 66 quilt! See you at the depot!

04/20/2026

Today's the day! Bill Pearch will be giving the program on Frank L Smith, a controversial and important person in Dwight history! You don't want to miss this! A short business meeting will begin at 7pm at the Historic Depot with the program following!

04/17/2026

Check out the Dwight Historical Society’s Route 66 Events for Red Carpet Corridor Weekend May 2-3:

Saturday and Sunday 9 to 1-at the Depot

View the Route 66 Exhibit-featuring the businesses that thrived in the stretch of Old 66 running through the village

Purchase a commemorative pottery dish-$15

Buy a raffle ticket for a unique quilt that highlights Rt. 66 local businesses-$10

Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. at Renfrew Park -Vintage Baseball Game
the Blue Island Brewmasters will take on the Lemont Quarrymen

Sunday at the Country Mansion Garden Room

Route 66 Panel Discussion- beginning at 2 p.m.
A panel of Dwight locals and natives, Phillip Becker, Jim Livingston, Don McNamara, and Harlan Olson will share stories and experiences from working at businesses along Route 66.

Route 66 Trivia-following the panel discussion at approximately 3:00.
Bring your team or form one that afternoon and test your knowledge of Route 66 and other categories.