The My Des Plaines Memory collection is a showcase of contributions made by the public. It represents our mission: to combine a community scrapbook with other primary resources from more traditional sources - like the archives of the Des Plaines History Center and the Des Plaines Public Library.

 

All of the collections in Des Plaines Memory can be accessed by anyone in the world. They are used by students, educators, historians and genealogists, or anyone that wants to find out about the people of Des Plaines, Illinois.

 

Visit our Share Your Story page to learn how to contribute your memories to the collection.

My Des Plaines Memory

JFK motorcade in Des Plaines, 1960

Some hidden text

Des Plaines Cubs fan's garage

Share whatever you think is important! Here are some ideas to get you started:

 

Your big life events: weddings, graduations, and other celebrations | Businesses you own or work at | Your house and neighborhood | Family trees and family reunions | State, national and world events that have affected your life | Community life: faith, volunteering, clubs and sports teams | Artwork, hobbies and crafts you've created | and more!

Making History Together

Des Plaines Flood of 2013

Some hidden text

Meyer boarding house and saloon, 1899

Photographs, new and old. Snapshots, class pictures, postcards. Houses and buildings. Church events and publications. Keepsakes and mementos. Little kids and ancestors. Fun times and disasters. Art and writing.

Des Plaines Community Concert Band, 2015

West Park Little League, 1960

MacNevin Motors promotional penknife

Uncle Charlie Hahnfeldt, 1890

Here are three ways you can contribute to the Life During COVID-19 collection:

 

Email us at dppl.digi@gmail.com. Just attach your image or document files and send them to us. Be sure to include:

    • A detailed DESCRIPTION: What can you tell us about the item you are sharing? Is it associated with an event or special occasion, particular people, places, or vivid memories? Feel free to tell us why you think this item is important, how you feel about it, etc.
    • Name of the CREATOR: Who created this work (photographer, author, artist, business, etc.)? 
    • DATE: When was your item created? Please provide the month/day/year if known. If you don’t know the exact date you can write “about 1982” or “in the summer of 1940,” etc.
    • LOCATION: Is there a location associated with this item (city, state, neighborhood, street address, etc.)?
    • YOUR NAME: You will be listed as the contributor of this item to the archive.

 

Leave your written accounts on the Des Plaines History Center's COVID-19 Stories page.

 

You can also email Des Plaines Memory staff directly at desplainesmemory@dppl.org, or the Des Plaines History Center at contact@desplaineshistory.org.

 

All individual contributions to Des Plaines Memory are preserved in the Des Plaines Public Library and Des Plaines History Center's digital archives, and may be used in future exhibits and programming.