On Thursday, March 13 the History Center will present its monthly program, Coffee Talk. The presentation topic will be Historic Firearms and will be held from 1:30 - 2:30 pm in the History Center's Visitor Center at 781 Pearson Street. Admission is free and no reservations are required. Coffee Talks are generously sponsored by Midwest Bank.

"Historic Firearms" will be presented by weapons conservator Alan Potyen, who will explore the history of firearms beginning in the 14th century until the present day. Potyen has worked with the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and the Cantigny First Division Museum in Wheaton in weapons conservation.

Homeschool Program

This month's program for home-schooled children will be held on Wednesday, March 19 from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Children will learn about the history of paper making and have a chance to make their own paper.

This program costs $1.00 per child and reservations are required.

Call the History Center for more information.

Exhibit

The newest collection in the "Collector's Corner" exhibit space in the Visitor Center is "Owls," a collection of owl figurines, china, statues and much more. The collection comes from Historical Society member Bernice Sokolowski who has hundreds of owl items in her collection. The exhibit will be on display during the museum's regular hours until May 9, 2008. Admission is free.

Supported by the City of Des Plaines, the Des Plaines Park District, and the Des Plaines Historical Society, the Des Plaines History Center consists of three facilities, the Visitor Center, the Kinder House, and the Fisher-Wright House. For more information about the program, call 847-391-5399.