Grant helps Poplar Creek Public Library preserve documents

Poplar Creek Public Library District has successfully preserved over 20 boxes of historical documents, photographs and records dating back over 150 years in Streamwood’s history thanks to a grant from the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board.

Awarded in June of 2023, the grant enabled Poplar Creek Public Library to use the best available preservation techniques to archive historical documents and records that detail Streamwood’s past.

“The grant excites me because we can better preserve these beautiful photographs that document so much history that goes back to the 19th century. I’m excited to be able to share these items with the public,” said Lisa Mueller, local history librarian at Poplar Creek Public Library District.

The archival collection includes firsthand accounts of major historical events leading up to and after the village’s incorporation and detail farm life, schools, houses of worship, government and more.

The collection of materials, which transferred to the Streamwood Park District from the Streamwood Historical Society, needed preservation and protection. In addition to physical preservation, Poplar Creek Public Library created finding aids to help categorize each boxes’ content for future researchers and help the library and Streamwood Park District in digitizing this collection. The preservation initiative would not have been possible without the support of the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board.

For information or to explore the Poplar Creek Public Library Districts’ archive, visit pclib.org/local-history or The Candace McCreary Local History Room located on the lower level of the main branch of the library.