Elmhurst history comes alive in 'Now & Then' photo exhibit

The past merges with the present in a special photo exhibit at the Elmhurst History Museum. 

Local perspective:

"Snapshots: Elmhurst Now & Then" offers a look back in time through specially enhanced photos that show a location as it was and as it is today.

"We wanted to pick some really unique places around Elmhurst like the Emory house … It’s got a unique architecture. And we actually had a photo of the family living in the house. So it was a really great opportunity to merge the two photos together," said Sarah Cox, curator of exhibits. 

The photos include the Churchville Schoolhouse that dates back to 1895, the York Theater and York Community High School, where the marching band from the 1930s was photographed. 

"We tried to find elements, whether it was an architectural element or a certain building in the background, to be able to match and line the two photos up," Cox said, 

Two videos also paint a picture of the old Elmhurst, one filmed in 1929, the other in 1991.

"You can see things like our main shopping district … and the York Theater back in 1929. And a lot of people who grew up in Elmhurst really enjoy seeing the 1991 video, with a number of businesses that they used to shop at and restaurants they used to go to. They love seeing that," Cox said.

What you can do:

The exhibit will be on display through February 23 and coffee table books featuring all of the photos are on sale for $20.

The Source: This story was reported on by FOX 32's Roseanne Tellez from the Elmhurst History Museum.

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