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The Little White School Museum, 72 Polk Street, Oswego, will host a busy July program schedule designed to entertain and inform area residents.

July's museum programming kicks off with the fascinating-and free!- "Hidden Messages in Negro Spirituals on the Underground Railroad," on Saturday, July 1, at 12:30 p.m. Come to the museum and find out how powerful, sacred songs that derived from the heart of antebellum enslaved Africans were melodic outflowing of religious expression, passion, and the hope to be free. Negro spirituals, as originated in America, tell of sorrow, trials and tribulations, secrecy and hiding, and hope for a sense of community. Join retired middle school language arts teacher Connie Martin as she explains the connections of Negro Spirituals with the deeper meanings and interpretations of lyrics of some songs. Presented in partnership with the Illinois Humanities "Road Scholar" Speakers Bureau.

Then new and longtime residents alike won't want to miss "Let's Talk Oswego History," on Saturday, July 15, from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is $5 in advance or at the door-walk-ins are welcome-for this program suitable for those age 12 and up. Wonder why kids from so many area towns from Joliet to Aurora all go to Oswego schools? Or who the first White settlers of the community were? Or who the Native People were who greeted them when they arrived? Come and chat about those and any other local history topics that come to mind when the Little White School Museum hosts this informal chat with museum director and Oswego historian Roger Matile. Bring your local history questions and comments and discover some of the community's fascinating and entertaining hidden history as Oswego celebrates the 190th anniversary of its settlement.

July wraps up with "Oswego History Tour – Downtown Main Street," on Saturday, July 22, at 6 p.m. Pre-registration (required) for those over 21 is $15 for park district residents, $20 for non-residents. All communities evolve and change over the years and Oswego is no different. Join members of the Oswegoland Heritage Association for a 45 minute stroll up and down Main Street between Jefferson and Washington and learn about historic landmarks, talk about the stores and businesses that first appeared when the village was newly formed, discuss the critical role fires had in shaping the village's past and present, and explore the significant changes that growth created. The tour begins and ends at the Oswego Brewing Co .; enjoy a glass of beer (included in the cost) there as heritage association guides have an informal Q&A session when the tour ends. Be sure to wear your comfortable walking shoes.

Call the Oswegoland Park District at 630-554-1010 or visit the museum website at https://littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org/event/oswego-history-tour-legacy-farms/ to register online. Space is limited, so call or register online right away if you're interested.