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August 2018
Walking Tour: Clark Street Then and Now
The story of Clark Street as the commercial hub of the neighborhood starts with the earliest days of Rogers Park and continues today. Throughout its history, Clark Street has prospered in boom times, survived economic downturns, and continually adapted to the needs of the ever-changing population it serves. Join neighborhood historian Glenna Eaves on a walking tour of Clark Street from Morse to Touhy and see what has changed, and surprisingly, how much has remained in place. Event begins with an open-to-all…
Find out more »Theater Double Feature: A Jewish Family’s Journey From Russia to Rogers Park
Last winter, Bena Shklyanoy gave a fascinating Living History presentation on her experience coming to Chicago as a Russian-Jewish immigrant in 1976. Now, her family's story has been brought to the stage, in two new plays at the Piven Theatre in Evanston, written by Bena Shklyanoy and Kevin Olson. Join others from the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society for a special double feature of theater on August 19, or attend other performances on your own. And Then What? tells the story…
Find out more »The Great Chicago House Hunt Continues
Don't miss your chance to become a digital history detective. Last session left this summer. Over the years, we've accumulated many photographs of homes, commercial buildings and other places in the neighborhood with limited information as to their location, date or subject matter. We're filling in the details for as many as we can, and you can help. Join Rob Case, our Ace Photo Archivist, for a Great Chicago House Hunt session, where he'll show you how to use digital…
Find out more »July 2018
The Great Chicago House Hunt Continues
Be a digital history detective. Help identify photos from our archive. Over the years, we've accumulated many photographs of homes, commercial buildings and other places in the neighborhood with limited information as to their location, date or subject matter. We're filling in the details for as many as we can, and you can help. Join Rob Case, our Ace Photo Archivist, for a Great Chicago House Hunt session, where he'll show you how to use digital resources like Google Streetview, old…
Find out more »Living History: Archiving the Talk of A Lifetime: 45 Years of Studs Terkel Radio
Unfortunately, a scheduling conflict has arisen and our speaker for this event is unable to appear. So, this event is cancelled. Studs Terkel was born in New York City, but was a fixture of Chicago life for more than half a century. Although widely recognized as an author, oral historian, social activist and television pioneer, Studs is best known for his years on WFMT-FM radio conducting interviews with some of the most interesting people of the 20th…
Find out more »June 2018
Great Chicago House (Photo) Hunt Is Back!
Rob Case with students doing a Great Chicago House Hunt on Loyola's Day of Service. Be a digital history detective. Help identify photos in our archive. Over the years, we've accumulated many photographs of homes, commercial buildings and other places in the neighborhood with limited information as to their location, date or subject matter. We're filling in the details for as many as we can, and you can help. Join Rob Case, our Ace Photo Archivist, for a Great Chicago House…
Find out more »Spirits of Rogers Park/West Ridge At Rosehill
Honor the early leaders of Rogers Park and West Ridge when you join neighborhood historian Glenna Eaves on a tour of Rosehill Cemetery that highlights the graves and monuments of men and women who helped build our neighborhood. Farmers, soldiers, business owners, artists and a host of others all played a role in our history. Glenna will tell the stories of local residents whose vision, enterprise and dedication shaped the history of the community we live in today. Tour begins at Rosehill East…
Find out more »Burnham’s Dream: The White City
Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society Lifetime member and volunteer June Finfer has written the book and lyrics for a new musical telling the story of visionary architect Daniel H. Burnham and Chicago’s great World’s Fair. Previews begin June 2 at Theater Wit. A lively new look at the story of an important chapter in Chicago history, BURNHAM'S DREAM: THE WHITE CITY celebrates the 125th anniversary of the 1893 World’s Fair and is endorsed by the State of Illinois Bi-Centennial Committee. Lost and Founds…
Find out more »May 2018
Hidden in Plain Sight: Chicago’s Lakefront Masterpieces
Art in Unexpected Places: Chicago’s lakefront is lined with a vast collection of outdoor sculpture…paintings too…, yet this virtual museum of public art is virtually unknown. Just Look Down: Maybe you’ll see a name, or some initials in a heart, but also portraits, animals, buildings and more. Millions have strolled, swam, fished and hung out, and some looked to pass the time with pen knives, screwdrivers or chisels, carving a legacy into those miles of lakefront. Chicago’s waterfront stone-carving extravaganza…
Find out more »Doing Business on Devon: 1900 to 2018
Devon Avenue around the intersection of Clark Street is one of the oldest business districts in Rogers Park. Over the years, the southern gateway to our community has continuously evolved, and is still changing every day. Groceries and taverns, theaters and a funeral home, have come and gone, while other businesses have been neighborhood stalwarts for decades. Get to know old and new businesses on Devon Avenue and discover how the area's unique culture evolved throughout the 20th Century, and…
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