Marymae Meyer, a longtime Lombard resident and former member of the board of directors of the International Lilac Society, worked with Jean Cooper, Lombard Historical Society archivist, to create a free exhibit that focuses on  Lilacia Park's internationally recognized lilac collection.

The exhibit's name comes from Col. William Plum, explaining why he wanted to import lilacs from Victor Lemoine of France on his application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture . Plum amassed more than 300 different lilac cultivars during his lifetime. Later, Lombard Park District worked with renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen to design Lilacia Park for future generations of flower lovers.

The new exhibit provides insight into the relationship of Plum and Lemoine, as well as the location of and details about the various species and cultivars of lilacs in Lilacia Park.

Over the course of three years, Marymae Meyer and horticulturist Jerry Budd inventoried, mapped and developed a botanically correct, computerized database of Lilacia Park's 100-year-old lilac collection. Meyer later donated the database, photographs and supplemental research to the park district.

Meyer also will present "Lilacs 101," a program for lilac lovers, in a Brown Bag Lecture at noon Wednesday, April 25, in the Carriage House.

The Lombard Historical Society operates the Victorian Cottage Museum at 23 W. Maple St. and the Sheldon Peck Homestead at 355 E. Parkside in Lombard.