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Facade of Trumbull School on Foster Avenue, 1908
Delivery wagons next to Gengler store on Summerdale at Clark, 1902
1908 building on Clark at Balmoral having the brick facade replaced
The first Edgewater Hospital building ca 1930
2009 Kitchen Exhibit at the Museum
Firehouse at Balmoral & Ashland
Firetruck housed at the original firehouse
2011 Edgewater Grocery Stores Exhibit
Greenhouses in the 1930s
Andersonville school view looking south down Ashland 1880
2010 Home Tour (Edgewater North)
Parade on Clark Street, 1966
Maybelline building at Ridge and Clark, ca. 1930s
Postcard of original Edgewater Post Office on Broadway at Catalpa
Postcard of Senn High School prior to the additions, ca. 1920
Saddle & Cycle Club at Foster Ave. 1900
Saddle & Cycle Club at Foster Ave. 1900
Postcard of Edgewater Beach Hotel, pre-1923
Postcard of Edgewater Beach Hotel Yacht Club
2010 Memorial Day Parade

Exhibit: The Chicago Conspiracy Trial

Submitted by Larry on Tue, 09/01/2020 - 9:59pm

The Chicago Conspiracy Trial: One Juror’s Ordeal

In 1968 the Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago. Protests, confrontation, arrests and ensuing trial, tested the legal and political processes. The Chicago Conspiracy Trial of 1969-1970 was a challenge to the American justice system. This exhibit examines one juror’s experiences, reflected through her journals, and the lasting impact of the trial on her and her family.

The exhibit was recently mentioned in an article on the CBS Chicago website about the new Trial of the Chicago 7 movie.

And there is a new article by Mary Schmich in the Chicago Tribune about the movie, Jean Fritz and the EHS exhibit. [more...]

Virtual Museum exhibits

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 07/04/2020 - 7:00am

EHS MuseumWe invite you on a virtual curator’s tour of our current exhibits:

Edgewater Beach Hotel: 100 Years Later

The Chicago Conspiracy Trial: One Juror’s Ordeal

High Water and Hell: Rising Lake Puts Chicago on Edge

Here is another past exhibit you may remember:

Greetings from Edgewater (2012): description and video

Exhibit: High Water and Hell

Submitted by Larry on Tue, 01/07/2020 - 6:57pm

Rising Lake Puts Chicago on Edge

The recent dramatic rise in the level of Lake Michigan is posing a serious – though not unprecedented – threat to property on Chicago’s lakefront. A new exhibit opening January 11, 2020 at the Edgewater History Museum – “High Water and Hell: Rising Lake Puts Chicago on Edge” – examines how the previous record high lake levels in the late 1980s severely battered the City and caused extensive damage to Chicago’s lakefront communities. [more...]

Edgewater Beach Hotel, 100 Years Later

Submitted by Larry on Sun, 05/22/2016 - 12:55pm

The one hundred year anniversary of the opening of the Edgewater Beach Hotel is being celebrated with an exhibit at the Edgewater Historical Society and Museum. The exhibit will be open on weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. Come prepared to learn about this fabulous hotel that put Edgewater on the map by surfing our website. [more...]

Re-Live the Magic of the Edgewater Beach Hotel (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 10/09/2021 - 12:50pm

St. Ita Catholic Church Community Room
    (just below the main sanctuary)
5500 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL
Saturday, Oct. 16 at 11 a.m.

The Edgewater Beach Hotel was one of the most iconic hotels in America. More than a hotel, it was a unique urban resort on Chicago’s lakefront. Its elegance, excitement and nationally broadcasted Big Band music is fondly remembered by generations of guests. John Holden (co-author with Kathy Gemperle) will draw from their new book “Remembering Edgewater Beach Hotel,” detailing the hotel’s fascinating rise and fall. A limited number of books will be available for sale before and after the program.

Shorter programs will also be presented at the Edgewater Historical Society Museum on Saturday, Oct. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m., in conjunction with Open House Chicago.

Sheridan Road Then and Now (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sun, 08/22/2021 - 11:29am

Colvin House

Sunday, September 19, 2021
from 3-7 p.m.
At the historic Colvin House
5940 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago
$35 per person ($45 at the door)

Note: This is an outdoor event. A face-mask is required to enter the Colvin House.

Do you miss the Home Tour on the 3rd Sunday in September? Please join us for a party on September 19 in the open air courtyard of the landmarked Colvin house. Take a walk down Sheridan Road and end at the Colvin house for food, music and good conversation. Brochures will be available at the parking lot or the Colvin house. See the invitation below for the details.

Click here for more information.
Click here to order tickets online with a credit card.

2021 Summer Nights in Edgewater (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sun, 06/13/2021 - 1:38pm

Join your neighbors again this year, on warm summer nights, for our popular community program of free live performances. From July 14 to August 25, 2021, every Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., different local musicians will entertain you in the beautiful EHS garden. We are pet friendly! All are welcome. Click here for the 2021 schedule.

Edgewater walking tours

Submitted by Larry on Sun, 06/13/2021 - 7:00am

Walk Edgewater

Enjoy views of the historic buildings of Edgewater in our own unique outdoor museum. Edgewater has three historic districts, designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and many blocks filled with historic homes. Tours will be led by knowledgeable guides. For descriptions of the tours, click “more…” below.

Note: All current tours are now sold out. Check back occasionally to see if new tours are announced.

Andersonville Historic District:
DATE: Aug 7, 2021; TIME: 10:00 a.m.
DATE: Sept 12, 2021; TIME: 9:30 a.m.

Edgewater Beach North:
DATE: Aug 12, 2021; TIME: 6:30 p.m.

Lakewood Balmoral Historic District:
DATE: Aug 14, 2021; TIME: 1:00 p.m.
DATE: Sept 26, 2021; TIME: 1:00 p.m.

Surprising Broadway:
DATE: Aug 15, 2021; TIME: 1:00 p.m.

Edgewater Glen:
DATE: Aug 31, 2021; TIME: 6:30 p.m.
DATE: Sept 18, 2021; TIME: 1:00 p.m.

Magnolia Glen:
DATE: Sept 11, 2021; TIME: 11:00 a.m.

Discover the Art Underfoot:
DATE: Sept 25, 2021; TIME: 11:00 a.m.

Bryn Mawr Historic District:
DATE: Sept 29, 2021; TIME: 6:00 p.m. (note change)

You must register online for each tour, and pay using this link (bit.ly/ehswalk7)

There is a limit of 15 in each tour. Our tour guides, who will have microphones, will lead you through the tour, and share with you our researched brochure. Everyone must wear a face mask and keep socially distant. The fee for each tour is $15, which supports the Edgewater Historical Society Museum.

Here are descriptions of all eight walking tours and their scheduled dates/times: [more...]

Chicago History Book Group (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 06/12/2021 - 1:08pm

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. To attend, please register at bit.ly/ehszoom10. This program is a partnership with the Edgewater Branch Library.

The topic is Louis Sullivan, and the books to be discussed are: “The Autobiography of An Idea” by Louis H. Sullivan, and “Louis Sullivan: His Life and Work” by Robert Twombly. Click here for a flyer.

Chicago History Book Group (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Thu, 04/15/2021 - 8:55pm

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. To attend, please register at bit.ly/ehszoom8. This program is a partnership with the Edgewater Branch Library.

The topic is The Third Coast, and the book to be discussed is: “The Third Coast: When Chicago Built the American Dream” by Thomas Dyja. Click here for a flyer.

Syndicate content

We welcome you to the Edgewater Historical Society website. Here you will find information about the Society and its Museum, including current exhibits and upcoming events or tours. There is also a searchable archive of newsletter articles and tour booklets going back to 1988. If you have comments or questions, please use the “Contact us” button above.

How to Find Us

The Edgewater Historical Society Museum is located at

5358 N. Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640
773‑506‑4849

Open Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. and by appointment.

Regular admission to the Museum is free but donations are gratefully accepted.


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Please help support the work of the Edgewater Historical Society and Museum with a donation. Note: If you want to become a member or renew your membership, please click the “Membership” button above.

The Edgewater Historical Society is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law for 501(c)(3) organizations.