'Smokey Bear: The Rudy Wendelin Collection'
Event information
Date: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Fee: Free!
Age: All ages.
Contact: 815-727-8700
"Ten-Four, Green and Clear" by Rudy Wendelin. Smokey Bear images used with permission of the USDA Forest Service.
Event details
This ongoing event will be held from Friday, Jan. 17, to Sunday, March 2, at four Forest Preserve visitor centers — Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Isle a la Cache Museum, Plum Creek Nature Center and Sugar Creek Administration Center — as well as the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Welcome Center. Hours at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Isle a la Cache Museum and Plum Creek Nature Center are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. Hours at Sugar Creek Administration Center are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays with special Saturday hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 18 and March 2. Hours at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Welcome Center are 8 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays.
Explore the extraordinary career of artist Rudolph “Rudy” Wendelin, best known as the artist behind the U.S. Forest Service’s iconic mascot: Smokey Bear. The reproductions of original Smokey Bear paintings from the U.S. Forest Service collection will come to Will County in a collaboration between Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and the Forest Preserve District of Will County.
The 19 paintings will be on view at multiple Forest Preserve visitor centers and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Complete the exhibit challenge by seeing them all to be entered to win Smokey-themed prizes. And be sure to be on the lookout for Smokey-themed programs that complement the exhibit.
Smokey Bear images used with permission of the USDA Forest Service.
Promotion and programming materials for the Smokey Bear exhibit are made available through the generous support of The Nature Foundation of Will County.
Event requirements
No registration required.
Forest Preserve visitor centers and the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Welcome Center are accessible facilities. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should mention their request when registering or submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program.