A River Thru History

05/01/2026

Tomorrow, Saturday May 2, Friends of the Chicago Portage kick off our 25th year of leading free public interpretive tours at the Chicago Portage National Historic Site in Portage Woods Forest Preserve in Lyons, Illinois. Veteran tour guides tell the birth stories of Chicago on the first Saturday of each month until October. More here: http://drupal.library.cmu.edu/chicago/tours

04/12/2026

I love maps of early Chicagoland areas. I've never seen these before. https://www.facebook.com/share/1B1ZzyoyLF/

02/21/2026

https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/event-calendar/voyager-family-fun-night

2/26/2026: Join us for a choose-your-own adventure-style game around that will put you and your family in the shoes of the voyageurs.

10/16/2025

This weekend in Rockton! Many reenactors who were in our camp in past years at A River Thru History go to Frenchman's Frolic each year as their last rendezvous for the camping season. Macktown is a beautiful site. Check it out if you're able! Comment if you're going, friends!

09/21/2025

Missing our beloved Rendezvous this month, but there's a little French fun coming next Saturday 9/27 down in Bourbonnais to check out. Rumor has it our friendly entertainers, Theatiki Fife & Drum Corps is playing, as well as Genot Picor of Trois Bouffons, with his other musical group La Compagnie Dance Troupe!

02/03/2025

2025 A River Thru History Rendezvous - CANCELLED for reevaluation

09/15/2024

Another beautiful day along the bank of the DesPlaines in Willow Springs! Come enjoy some frontier fun at A River Thru History - The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous!

09/14/2024

Great event today & tomorrow on the DesPlaines River in Willow Springs! Enjoy a canoe ride, see a magic show & clown, hear cannon fire & music, shoot a bow and arrow, eat some smoked meats & fry bread! Shuttle bus from UPS parking lot. A River Thru History - The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous

09/10/2024

We hope you are all ready to Clown around with us this weekend as we welcome back Emerald Kelley as The Clockwork Clown! She will be performing on our main stages, and roaming about camp. Make sure you catch one of these amazing performances!

09/08/2024

One week 'til Rendezvous! Ready to ride in a huge canoe? A River Thru History - The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous