Up in Flames Living with Fire Throughout Illinois History

Fire was an ever-present threat in 1800s Illinois, a world filled with wooden buildings lit by open fires. The most devastating fire in our state’s history, the Great Chicago Fire, occurred 150 years ago this October. In reflection of this event, join Curator of History Erika Holst to learn about the presence and threat of fire in daily life, how fires were fought, and how communities coped and rebuilt in the aftermath of fires.

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