Daily Life
Objects in this section are both ordinary and extraordinary. They are ordinary because they reflect daily life and the stories of how people live, work, play and worship in DeKalb County. Yet, they are extraordinary because someone thought to save these objects that mostly go unseen because they are not part of special or unique experiences.
Handmade Wooden Box, no date
Drone Canopy, circa 1944
Canopy that was part of a drone built at DeKalb's Wurlitzer plant during World War II, c1944.
Boy Scout Oar, 1959
Girl Scout Pocket Knife, circa 1950
Pocket knife used by Girl Scouts, c1950.
Lesson Planning Book, 1917
Lesson Planning Book, on loan from Blackwell History of Education Museum, 1917.
Wooden Apple, circa 1978
Wooden Apple to celebrate 100th Anniversary of North Grove One-Room School, on-loan from North Grove School Association, 1978.
Family Bible, 1885-1988
Cookbook, circa 1900
Mexican reboso, circa 2000
Mexican reboso, a common garment or used by Mexican women, c2000.
Confirmation Dress, June 19,1921
Confirmation dress worn by Jennye Lahti on June 19, 1921, on loan from DeKalb Area Women's Center.
Dolls for Democracy, Circa 1950
Dolls for Democracy, used by Congregation Beth Shalom to teach tolerance in area schools, c1950.
Minister Meeting Photo, circa 1950
Photo of "Annual Meeting of Ministers" gathered in Sycamore from throughout the country, Israel of God Church, W.H.A., c1950.
Islamic Materials, 2021
During an Open House, members of the Islamic Center of DeKalb offered to write visitors names in Arabic. On this sheet the name "Michelle Donahoe" is written in Arabic.