Dr. Irene Robinson: A ‘Far-Seeking Ambitious’ Woman

Name: Dr. Irene Robinson: A ‘Far-Seeking Ambitious’ Woman
Start: 2026-05-31T13:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-05-31T14:00:00-05:00
Location: 921 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL, United States, Illinois 60115

Schedule

Sun May 31 2026 at 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

921 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL, United States, Illinois 60115 | Dekalb, IL

The J.F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center will host a special lecture program at the Glidden Homestead on Sunday, May 31 at 1 p.m. on the unique story of Irene Robinson of Malta.
Most residents and visitors to DeKalb are familiar with the landmark red sandstone mansion located at the northwest corner of Lincoln Highway and First Street. Built in 1897 for Dr. Edward L. Mayo and his bride Harriet Ellwood, daughter of barbed wire baron Isaac Ellwood, the home has long carried a scandal-tinged backstory involving Mayo’s earlier divorce from Irene Robinson of Malta.
Until now, much of Irene Robinson’s life and fate has remained a mystery.
The program, “Dr. Irene Robinson 1862–1918: A ‘Far-Seeking Ambitious’ Woman & Reflections from a Personal Research Journey," will be presented by John Paris, Associate Professor of History at College of DuPage and a docent and board member at the Glidden Homestead. This engaging lecture will reveal the remarkable story of Dr. Irene Robinson, M.D. Through recent research, Paris overturns longstanding assumptions surrounding Robinson’s life to uncover the achievements of a pioneering woman physician whose story deserves renewed recognition. The program will also include reflections on Paris’ own personal journey through historical research and discovery.
Admission is $5 per person and free for Glidden Homestead members. Admission includes both the lecture and a guided tour of the historic homestead.The program will take place in the museum’s Welcome Center, located at 921 W. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.
For more information, call 815-756-7904, email [email protected], or visit GliddenHomestead.org
About the J.F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center
The J.F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center preserves and interprets the home and barn of barbed wire inventor Joseph F. Glidden, highlighting DeKalb’s agricultural and educational heritage through public programming and community events.