Disaster, Courage & Silence Exhibit

The ships taking Western Electric employees, their friends and families, on a company outing never left the docks of the Chicago River. Onlookers watched in disbelief as the SS Eastland capsized right before their eyes and 844 people perished, including 22 entire families.  The story of the Eastland Disaster is not known to most even though it is Chicago’s greatest loss of life tragedy.  This captivating exhibit, filled with photographs, artifacts and documents, will look at the people and the ship that made maritime history.  The Center has the largest Eastland collection of memorabilia in the nation and offers programs on and off site to groups.  Information: www.wheatonhistory.org, info@wheatonhistory.com, 630-871-6601