One Hundred Years in Focus

CommunityChamber

The Orland Park Public Library is proud to announce a special exhibition celebrating the 20th anniversary of Smith Crossing and the 20th anniversary of the library building on Ravinia Avenue. The exhibit, titled "20/20: One Hundred Years in Focus—Smith Communities in a Changing World," will be open from Friday, Sept. 6 through Monday, Oct. 28 on the second floor of the library.

This unique timeline display consists of nine 3-foot by 4-foot panels that chronicle local, regional and world events alongside the history and growth of Smith Crossing in Orland Park. The panels also provide a retrospective look at the first retirement community established on the campus of what is now called Smith Village in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood.

Smith Senior Living, the sponsor of both Smith Crossing and Smith Village, is celebrating 100 years of serving seniors. The not-for-profit communities have a rich history dating back to the establishment of Oakhaven Old People’s Home in 1924. After a generous bequest from Emilie Smith, Oakhaven was renamed the Washington and Jane Smith Home in honor of her parents.
 

A grand opening reception for the exhibition will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, at the gallery wall on the second floor of the Orland Park Public Library, located at 14921 S. Ravinia Avenue. This event is open to the public and will provide an opportunity to explore the timeline, which vividly illustrates the evolution of attitudes towards aging, as well as major discoveries and pop culture milestones over the past century.

Exhibition Highlights
 

Historical Panels: The timeline spans 100 years, depicting significant events and the development of Smith Crossing and Smith Village.

Contributors: The exhibition was created with contributions from Elizabeth Paulson, Heritage Sites Supervisor for the Village of Orland Park; Mike Duffy, volunteer History Researcher for the Village; and Linda Lamberty, Historian at Ridge Historical Society.

Interactive Experience: Iconic representations and immersive narratives offer visitors a chance to engage with history in a meaningful way.

“Join us in celebrating this milestone and explore the history and future of Orland Park and Smith Senior Living,” said Library Director Mary Adamowski. “We look forward to welcoming patrons to this extraordinary exhibition.”

About Smith Crossing

Smith Crossing welcomed its first residents on November 1, 2004. Today, the 32-acre campus remains the only life plan community formerly known as continuing care retirement community, in Chicago’s Southwest suburbs.

Designed to provide apartments and villas for independent living, Smith Crossing’s continuum model includes a variety of activities and programs, as well as healthcare for those in assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care and short-term stay rehab.

Smith Crossing has expanded twice. In 2012, it increased its capacity by 60 percent with additional independent living apartments and gathering spaces. In 2020, a new wing with private suites for short-term stay rehab began serving neighbors and Smith Crossing residents.

For more information, please visit SmithCrossing.org or call 708-326-2300.

Library Information

The Orland Park Public Library is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the exhibition and other events, visit orlandparklibrary.org or call (708) 428-5100.

About Smith Senior Living

Smith Senior Living extends its mission of caring for older adults and their families across the Southwest suburbs with two continuing care retirement communities: Smith Crossing and Smith Village. Both campuses offer independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care, and short-term stay rehab. For more information, visit SmithSeniorLiving.org.

One Hundred Years in Focus