Lisle, IL – The Lisle Park District recognized Bob Goodwin for his 39 years of service actively preserving and enriching the history of Lisle at the meeting of the Lisle Park District Board of Park Commissioners in December of 2021. Bob was presented with a plaque by Superintendent of Recreation, Jon Pratscher, who oversees operations at The Museums at Lisle Station Park where Bob has volunteered his time and knowledge to conserve the heritage and culture of the greater Lisle community.

Bob Goodwin grew up in Lisle and learned blacksmithing from his father, who mastered in the same trade and owned Bob's Ornamental Iron in Downers Grove. Bob and his late wife, Arden, were key contributors to the collections and creation of The Museums at Lisle Station Park, located at 921 School Street in Downtown Lisle. Bob has been an invaluable resource to the Museum Curator and staff on the heritage of Lisle and the museum's institutional history.

The Blacksmith Shop, one of five structures on the museum's campus, was established in 2001 inside a 19th century barn. Bob was an integral part of recreating an operational workshop in the barn and led many interactive demonstrations highlighting the importance of craftsmen throughout the history of Lisle, an agricultural community settled in 1832 around the railroad depot known as Lisle Station. Bob has taught many blacksmiths the trade through drawing a taper, fullering, twisting, and scrolling handmade projects inside the Blacksmith Shop. His many apprentices and peers continue to pass on their knowledge of the craft through volunteer-led blacksmith classes at The Museums at Lisle Station Park. To this day, Bob continues to be a wealth of information in preserving Lisle's past for future generations.

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The Museums at Lisle Station Park was created in 1978 through the cooperative efforts of the Lisle Park District, Lisle Heritage Society, and the Village of Lisle. Daily admission to the museum is free. Donations are welcome and encouraged to support the museum's programming, conservation of artifacts, and exhibit development. Office hours for the Museum Curator, Grace Heiderman, are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10:00am-4:00pm. Tours are available by appointment. Email museum@lisleparkdistrict.org or call 630-968-0499 to set up a tour of the museum grounds. For more information about the museum's facilities, exhibits, blacksmith classes, birthday parties, and rental opportunities, visit bit.ly/lislemuseum.

The Lisle Park District provides a variety of leisure activities for people of all ages throughout the year. Park district facilities include Lisle Community Park, home to the all-inclusive Discovery Playground and Community Park Public Boat Launch; the Recreation Center, which houses Gentle Learning Preschool, SEASPAR, the Senior Center, and multipurpose rooms; the Community Center, which contains Community Park Fitness and studios for dance and group fitness classes; Sea Lion Aquatic Park; The Museums at Lisle Station Park; River Bend Golf Course and numerous neighborhood playgrounds and park amenities, such as tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, soccer fields, walking paths and picnic areas totaling close to 400 acres. It is the mission of the Lisle Park District to enrich the quality of life for people of all ages by providing constructive and creative leisure opportunities. For more information about the Lisle Park District, visit lisleparkdistrict.org. or call 630-964-3410.