Saturday, March 22nd
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.; Fee: $1.00 for two eggs

Enjoy decorating Easter Eggs at The Elgin Public Museum. Egg dyeing is a craft that has been done for 200 years. Natural dyes will be used from recipes that date back 100 years. Children will have a chance to choose and dye their own eggs and take them home. Dye recipes are shared and can be taken home. This event takes place inside the museum and directly follows the Lords Park Easter Egg Hunt in Lords Park.

Sunday, April 20th
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.; Fee: $5.00 (fee is for oak saplings)

Do you want to help the Earth right in your own backyard - Lords Park? Do you want to help with an activity that will impact future generations and help the environment? Join us in planting trees – not just any trees but our own native and rare White Oaks and Shagbark Hickory! Lords Park is home to some of the most wondrous oak trees in Elgin. The oaks are all mature and very few young are regenerating. Be part of the future by planting some White Oak seedlings in places where they will have a chance to perpetuate our oak population. Learn about our native oaks and what species depend on living and dead oaks in the park. Learn how to age and identify the different oak species in Elgin. Dress for the outdoors and the dirt! Registration is necessary by April 15th.

Friday, May 3rd through June 27
The Birds of Illinois
Original Drawings by Peter Olson

The artwork of Peter Olson, Assistant Director of the Northern Illinois University Art Museum, will be on display this spring. Colorful and unique in character, they capture the beauty and grace of our elusive feathered friends. We hope to develop a few programs centered on this exhibition so check back often.

Friday, May 9th
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Fee $5

Lords Park in Elgin is home to numerous species of birds and wildlife. The year 2007 brought a family of red foxes to the park. The fantastic Mrs. Fox gave birth to two pups in April 2007. We hope a new year brings a new litter to the park. Join us for a hike to explore the red fox family territory and then partake in an educational talk at the Museum exploring the life of the red fox. Learn how a city fox differs from a country fox and the challenges our fox family must face. Dress for the weather. To reserve your spot please register by May 2nd.

Thursday, May 15th
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.; Free if registered in advance

The Elgin Public Museum and the Illinois Humanities Council are sponsoring an evening with Charles Darwin. Storyteller and science teacher, Brian “Fox” Ellis steps into Darwin’s shoes to model the scientific process, engaging listeners in a discussion of the facts so they can draw their own conclusions. Darwin will bring with him a wide array of fossils, insects, plants and study skins so the audience can experience the discoveries of Darwin. Equal parts dramatic storytelling, stand-up comedy and show and tell, the audience is immersed in the intellectual world of one of history’s greatest scientific minds. Charles Darwin and The Voyage of the Beagle is sure to delight! The IHC sponsored programs are very popular so please register by May 7th to reserve your spot.

May 26th (Memorial Day) 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $7.00 per individual, ($25.00 for a family of 4)

This is no ordinary lecture and slide presentation. We have live snakes.

Why are so many people scared to death of snakes? In most cases it’s because they are misinformed about the true nature of these unique reptiles. We will be presenting a program that will both fascinate and educate. You’ll learn about a snake’s biology, behavior and ecology. How do they sense the world around them? How do they move? How do they capture prey? What is a snake’s greatest fear? Hear the true facts while you’re looking at the actual animal. At the presentation’s conclusion, all audience members are given the opportunity to handle these surprisingly gentle reptiles.

The Elgin Public Museum is presenting this program as a fundraiser event. These funds will be used to upgrade our Fox River display on the 2nd floor.

Saturday, June 7th
Noon - 2:00 p.m.

Bubbles, bubbles, and more bubbles! Make big bubbles, small bubbles, and very, very tall bubbles. Children will love this program but so will Mom and Dad. Meet at the Elgin Public Museum, and then wander outside to have fun with bubble making and bubble projects.

Saturday, June 21st
7:00 a.m. - Free but reservations required

When is the last time you were literally nose-to-nose with a 2,200-pound American Bison? Dwight Armistead, the individual who cares for these magnificent animals at the zoo, loves to share his knowledge and experiences with all who are interested. Learn about the natural history of this animal then help with their feeding along with the Elk and Deer. Enrollment is limited to 12 people, so register early.

Friday, June 20th
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Fee: $5.00 (EPM members $4.00)

The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year. The days following will get shorter as time goes on to the Winter solstice, when the cycle begins anew. Since ancient times, many cultures chose the Solstice as a time to celebrate the seasonal cycle of nature with fires, food and gatherings. Join Elgin Public Museum staff to hear the scientific explanation for the solstice, along with tales of long-ago cultures. Enjoy the zoo animals and refreshments while learning about the summer solstice. Fee is $5 per person (EPM members $4.00). All ages. Friday, June 20 at 8 pm. Advance registration required.

Friday, July 11, 2008
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Free, but reservations required

The Elgin Public Museum in conjunction with the Road Scholars Speakers Bureau of the Illinois Humanities Council is sponsoring an evening with John Muir. John Wallace, as Mr. Muir, will take our audience back 100 years as he relives in glorious detail some of Muir’s most breathtaking, marvelous, and humorous experiences. Come learn about the man who has been called "The Father of our National Parks," "Wilderness Prophet," "Citizen of the Universe." and is the founder of the Sierra Club. There is limited seating for this program so register early.

September 6 and 7, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission: $5.00 per individual per day

The 4th annual Native American Cultural Days and Bison Blessing will be held in the zoo area of Lords Park on September 6 and 7. The event will feature flute music by Bill Buchholz, Native American dancers, vendors, and crafts and games. Special guests are Carl Perry with his authentic Plains style tipi and Sal "Red Hawk" Camacho. Sal will become a Potawattomi Native American, complete with his hide lodge. The hours are Saturday 10am to 6 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. Admission to the grounds is $5 per person per day. The Bison Blessing is Sunday morning at 10 am and there is no charge for that event.