A special exhibition at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Pursuit of Happiness: Many Journeys, One Community runs June 27–September 20 and is presented in two complementary parts. The first features stories and artifacts from the Dunn Museum's collections that explore the diverse experiences that have shaped Lake County. The second, Dancing for Our Tribe: Potawatomi Tradition in the New Millennium, is a traveling exhibition by photographer and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi nation member Sharon Hoogstraten.

Our Collections

Through artifacts and local stories, this portion of the exhibition examines the many ways individuals and groups have contributed to the well-being of their communities through civic engagement, military service and leadership. Stories and objects were selected to reflect themes of community, partnership and collaboration.

Among the featured artifacts is a large flag made in 1862 by Agnes “Nancy” Riley Murray to honor her son, Edward, upon his enlistment in Company C of the 96th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War. Edward was one of more than 2,000 Lake County men who volunteered to serve in the Union Army. Agnes chose 13 stars rather than the 34 that represented the states at the time as a tribute to the original colonies.

The Murray family farm later became part of what is now Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve in Wadsworth. Edward's great-great-great-granddaughter, Millie Ramsay, donated the flag to the Dunn Museum in 2012. Additional research on Murray's life and military service appears in The Bonds of War by Dunn Museum Curator Diana Dretske.

Other objects in the exhibition reveal stories of everyday life, civic engagement and community action. Featured artifacts include a photograph of a Fourth of July neighborhood parade in Wauconda in 1968, a Waukegan Fire Department helmet from 1926 and an image from a 1959 meeting on housing and civil rights at the home of Ethel Untermyer, the founder of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

Dancing for Our Tribe

“As we mark America’s 250th anniversary, it’s important to recognize that the history of this land extends far beyond the founding of the United States,” said Education Manager Nicole Stocker. “Dancing for Our Tribe helps tell a more complete story by centering Native voices and experiences, both past and present.”

For the project, Hoogstraten traveled to all nine Potawatomi Nations, ranging from Ontario to Oklahoma, creating portraits of contemporary Potawatomi people in traditional regalia while documenting their stories.

As part of the America 250 exhibition, Dancing for Our Tribe highlights the enduring presence of Potawatomi people and cultures. The large-scale portraits are printed on canvas and suspended from cedar bands, reflecting the movement of dance and flowing regalia. Hoogstraten designed the display so the canvases would “continue to move in the rhythm of the ancestors.”

Hoogstraten will visit the Dunn Museum on July 16 for Dancing for Our Tribe with Photographer Sharon Hoogstraten. The evening program will explore the stories behind the portraits and the ongoing efforts of Potawatomi people to preserve their traditions while maintaining strong connections to their ancestors.

Media Contact: Kim Mikus, [email protected], 847-968-3202

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