Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society

09/02/2026

08/21/2026

Tucked away within a plaster ceiling for decades, this early 1940s movie bill is in superb condition! This artifact will be the star of our Crystal Theater collection!
🎥🎬🍿📽️⭐️

08/19/2026

Brought to you by the DeKalb County History Center.

08/19/2026

Museum Sneak Peek! 🍂🍁🏈🎃🦃🎄🍾🎉
In preparation for the holidays, KVHS will be featuring the DeKalb County History Center’s A Taste of DeKalb County Cookbook! Stay tuned for more tasty details!

08/07/2026

We can’t wait to share some pioneer hospitality with our DeKalb County Barn Tour enthusiasts! Happy trails to you!

08/05/2026

The destruction of our dear Linden tree yielded a surprise. A black walnut tree was also part of the disaster. The trunk of this tree will be planked into boards at the this year!

07/27/2026

Out and about in the community, KVHS has recently documented some great historical signage; which are a calling card of sorts.

This display, has some very interesting features that we hope you enjoy.

In the early 1900s, calling cards (or visiting cards) were small paper cards used to announce a visit, manage social relationships, and follow rules of etiquette. At times, they served as a social substitute for an in-person visit when the homeowner was not present.

The social communication aspect of calling cards included:

Announcing visits: Left with a household member to show you came by.

Social duties: Acted as a stand-in to pay respects, offer congratulations, or express sympathy when a direct meeting was not possible.

Making introductions: Handed over or sent ahead to establish a new acquaintance.

Other forms of card communication included:

Flipped or folded corners. Different corners bent or folded down communicated specific
meanings, such as an in-person delivery versus delivery by mail, or a gesture of condolence.

French acronyms: Senders wrote small initials like p.f. (pour féliciter / to congratulate) or p.c. (pour condoléance / to condole) on the card.

Mourning borders: Cards printed with a black edge showed the sender was in mourning.

How may features did you recognize?

🤔💡💭

07/22/2026

Another sign from Genoa’s past. This business operated in the late 1920s and 30s. under William Gnakow Sr. And Jr. The father and son also had a Chevrolet and Oldsmobile dealership. Would anyone have any further information or pictures?

07/22/2026

The KVHS Museum, sharing summertime fun since 1977.
☀️