On May 9th, the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, the Chicago Park District, the Australian Consulate-General of Chicago, and the Honorable Joe Moore, Alderman of the 49th Ward, hosted the dedication of the Marion Mahony Griffin Beach Park at West Jarvis Avenue and Lake Michigan. After the dedication, the Australian Consulate-General of Chicago sponsored a reception at the Emil Bach House and the Emil Bach House offered complimentary tours led by volunteer docents from the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. Pictures from the event are below. Thank you to everyone who attended and volunteered!
Sign informs visitors of park’s new name. Photograph by Julia Bachrach.
A few days before dedication ceremony: newly installed stone and plaque look good! Photograph by Julia Bachrach.
People start to gather early. Photograph by Stephanie Barto.
The crowd builds, awaiting the ceremony. Photograph by Stephanie Barto.
Alderman Joe Moore addressing the crowd. Julia Bachrach, Chicago Park District; Prof. David Van Zanten, Northwestern University; and Joan Pomeranc, AIA Chicago; look on. Photograph by Stephanie Barto.
Alderman Joe Moore. Photograph by Joan Pomaranc.
Alderman Joe Moore. Photograph by Joan Pomaranc.
Julia Bachrach. Photograph by Joan Pomaranc.
Julia Bachrach at the podium. Person watching her is Prof. David Van Zanten, Northwestern University, who has published books and articles on MMG. Photograph by Stephanie Barto.
Julia Bachrach. Photograph by Joan Pomaranc.
Julia Bachrach. Photograph by Joan Pomaranc.
Julia Bachrach. Photograph by Joan Pomaranc.
Photograph by Joan Pomaranc.
Australian Consul General Michael Wood. Photograph by Stephanie Barto.
Consul General Michael Wood. Photograph by Joan Pomaranc.
Ken Walchak (speaker and RP/WRHS President) shares joke with Joe Moore and Consul General Wood. Photograph by Stephanie Barto.
A young attendee reads the plaque to the assembled guests. (She actually read out the wording of the plaque after it was unveiled.) Photograph by Stephanie Barto.
The dedication plaque. Photograph by Stephanie Barto.
Boulder and Plaque. Photograph by Joan Pomaranc.
People waiting to tour the Emil Bach House, after the dedication. Photograph by Stephanie Barto.
After the dedication and tour, a little nosh on the lawn of Emil Bach House. Photograph by Stephanie Barto.