The IDHH welcomes the Des Plaines Public Library as a new stand-alone contributor. For years, the Des Plaines Public Library has contributed content through the Illinois Digital Archives. Now, Des Plaines provides over 1200 additional items through their own digital library, Des Plaines Memory, including hundreds of photographs, letters, newspaper clippings, and more that document the diverse history, people, and cultures of the city.
Des Plaines Memory includes a range of artifacts documenting life, history, and culture in the town of Des Plaines. This includes a big arts scene, local musicians, painters, writers, dancers, and many others. Many artists celebrate rich, multicultural heritage.
Mural by Jason Watts. 2019-06-10. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Culture of India, Mehndi Design. 2013-08-18. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Des Plaines Community Concert Band performs at the Band Shell by Lake Opeka. 2015-07-02. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Des Plaines’ collection boast a rich record of the distant past as well, including diaries from the Civil War.¹ This collection boasts several objects, including journals and images and is growing, and is a truly remarkable addition to the many Civil War artifacts available in IDHH collections.
Portrait of Chester E. Bennett. 1890. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Douglas Wildfang. 1944-05-01. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Louise Huck in Uniform. 1944. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Rose “Rosebud” Pieper. C. 1945. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Clifton J. Hill. C. 1914. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Finally, Des Plaines memory includes selected works of local artist, Edward Dougal (1937-2016).¹ Dougal was a versatile artist with expertise in several forms and a host of media. He was a painter, sculptor, wood worker, and a writer and illustrator of children’s books. His pieces incorporating mirrors are among the most interesting, some of which are featured below.
Dougal, Edward (1937-2016). Five Buddhas. C. 2000-2015. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Dougal, Edward (1937-2016). Air Fire Water Earth. C. 2000-2015. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Dougal, Edward (1937-2016). I AM. 2013-09. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Dougal, Edward (1937-2016). Frozen Lake Michigan. 2013-10. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
Dougal, Edward (1937-2016). Yin and Yang. 2014. Des Plaines Public Library. Des Plaines Memory. Permission to display was given by Des Plaines Public Library.
¹Editor’s Note, 09/2024: These items no longer exists in the IDHH.
Happy World Cat Day! Also called International Cat Day, the holiday was first established by the International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2002. However, national holidays celebrating our feline friends have observed in countries around the world for decades. To celebrate, the IDHH spotlights items from Illinois State University’s collections.
First, behold the artwork of talented youngsters who loved their cats enough to immortalize them in pencil and watercolors. The paintings below are from the International Collection of Child Art and were created by children ages 8 through 13 from Colombia, Wales, and the U.S. The children’s attention to detail show how dear their furry friends were.
My Cat and Kitten. 1960. Illinois State University. International Collection of Child Art. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.
Cat. 1969. Illinois State University. International Collection of Child Art. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.
Caption: Observation Drawing of a Cat. 1980. Illinois State University. International Collection of Child Art. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.
Next, here are toys from Japan featured from the Ethnology Teaching Collection, including a papier-mâché cat in a basket and the famous good luck charm of the waving cat, or ‘Maneki-Neko’. These figurines were placed in shop windows, inviting customers in and waving good-bye on their way out.
Paper Cat in Basket. No date. Illinois State University. Ethnology Teaching Collection. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.
Paper Cat with Toy. No date. Illinois State University. Ethnology Teaching Collection. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.
Maneki-Neko Cat. No date. Illinois State University. Ethnology Teaching Collection. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.
