The Eastland Disaster Historical Society began with a simple but powerful belief. The stories of the people affected by the 1915 disaster deserved to be preserved, protected, and passed forward. For more than a century, the tragedy left deep marks on families across Chicago and throughout the country. Many of those families quietly carried their memories without a place dedicated to holding their stories. That all changed on December 30, 1998.
The Eastland Disaster Historical Society was co-founded by sisters Susan Decker and Barbara Decker Wachholz, the granddaughters of survivor Borghild Amelia Aanstad. Susan and Barbara were the only grandchildren of Borghild, and they grew up knowing fragments of a story that shaped their family long before they were born. As adults, they realized how easily these fragments could be lost if no one stepped forward to keep them safe.
The sisters teamed up with their mother, Jean Decker, and Barbara’s husband, Ted Wachholz, to form what would become the founding family of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society. Together, they created a charitable nonprofit dedicated not only to historical preservation but also to giving families a place to connect with their roots and find answers to long-standing questions.
From the very beginning, the mission was clear. EDHS would create lasting legacies for everyone touched by the disaster. That includes the victims whose names fill historical records, the survivors who carried their memories through the decades, the responders who risked their lives during rescue efforts, and the families who lived in the long shadow of grief and resilience.
Over the years, EDHS has grown into a respected and trusted resource. The organization gathers family histories, photographs, letters, oral accounts, artifacts, and official documents so that these pieces of the past are not lost to time. It also provides a way for descendants and researchers to access information that was once scattered across archives and family attics.
Perhaps most importantly, EDHS serves as a place where stories are honored, not forgotten.
Many families have learned something new about their loved ones through the society’s work. Some have unlocked mysteries, discovered relatives, or finally found the words to tell a story that had been too painful to share.
The society also plays a wider role in helping communities understand the human side of the tragedy. Through educational programs, community conversations, articles, webinars, and curated digital history resources, EDHS continues to make the Eastland story accessible to new audiences and new generations.
As the organization looks to the future, the heart of its mission remains the same. EDHS exists to preserve memories, strengthen connections, and ensure that every person touched by the disaster has a place where their story is valued.
What began with one family’s commitment has grown into a community of families and supporters who understand the importance of remembrance. Their dedication keeps history alive and allows the Eastland story to continue guiding, teaching, and inspiring more than a century later.
A Timeline Celebrating 27 Years of Connections
