Terminal Town is a festival of events showcasing Chicago’s role as a center of U.S. passenger transportation. Running from autumn of 2014 through April 2015, the festival offers everyone in the metropolitan region opportunities to take part in presentations, special events, tours and competitions. The festival also includes a traveling exhibit and an all-color illustrated book. All are designed to foster appreciation of the Chicago region’s importance as a transportation center and the exciting possibilities ahead. Terminal Town is a program of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University in cooperation with Lake Forest College and generous sponsors.
The Terminal Town traveling exhibit, which comprises sixteen 8-foot panels, is currently on display at the Hammond Public Library through Oct. 28. On Thurs., Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m., Dr. Joseph Schwieterman, author of the “Terminal Town” book and director of the Chaddick Institute, will visit the library to discuss the role of the Chicago metropolitan area as a hub for bus, rail, and air travel. Those attending have an opportunity to view the exhibit, and take the “Terminal Test” to become eligible for a prize! It’s easy, since all the answers are on the exhibit panels. It takes only about 10 minutes. If you have a smartphone or tablet, bring it with you to sample interactive displays featuring fun facts, opinion polls, and famous movie scenes of Chicago terminals. Copies of the book, “Terminal Town,” will be available for purchase at the event.
The Terminal Town team has several ways for citizens and students to participate in our programs. Submit a photo or story, take part in our student site plan competition, or nominate a person in your community who you feel is worthy of recognition. We’ll select winners and recognize them at the closing ceremony at each exhibit location. We’ll also be giving away prizes for entries and have more than a dozen door prizes awarded. Prizes will include gift cards, polo shirts, and travel items. Please see the official website at www.terminaltown.org for complete contest rules and guidelines. The contest deadline for Hammond entries is Sat., October 25 at 10 a.m. The closing ceremony is Tues., Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., at which time announcements will be made and prizes will be awarded.
Ways to participate include:
- Submit your best photo: Submit a photo that exemplifies why air, bus or train travel is an important part of Hammond. Photo submissions are limited to two per individual. You may submit to terminaltownchicago@gmail.com. Please see the website for guidelines.
- Tell your story: Do you have a story to tell about traveling through one of Chicago’s terminals? Did a childhood memory leave a lasting impression? If so, share your experience and be sure to explain how it added to your appreciate of the Windy City. The Terminal Town team will have a prize for the best stories from residents in Hammond. Please email your stories to terminaltownchicago@gmail.com and see the website for guidelines.
- Nominate a person: Nominate a townsperson or local leader who has helped celebrate the heritage of transportation in your community—or simply appreciates history in general—and deserves to be commended. Submit one or two paragraphs to terminaltownchicago@gmail.com or in our traveling exhibit’s dropbox. See the website for guidelines.
- A Site Plan Design Competition is open to students in DePaul University and will focus on creative reuses of the former Grand Central Station site at Harrison & Polk streets in Chicago. Group entries are welcome. See the website for more information.
Terminal Town may be viewed at the Hammond Public Library during library hours: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is at 564 State Street, with a parking lot on the corner of Sibley and Sohl streets. Information about the Oct. 16 and Oct. 28 events are with the library’s public information coordinator, at (219) 931-5100, Ext. 310. Information about the exhibit or the book is with Marisa Schulz, Assistant Director of the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development and Terminal Town exhibit curator, at (312) 362-5731 or email terminaltownchicago@gmail.com.