Welcome

1908 building on Clark at Balmoral having the brick facade replaced
Delivery wagons next to Gengler store on Summerdale at Clark, 1902
The first Edgewater Hospital building ca 1930
Facade of Trumbull School on Foster Avenue, 1908
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

Current Exhibit - Motoring through Edgewater

Submitted by Larry on Sun, 06/15/2014 - 11:03pm

The current exhibit at the EHS Museum, Motoring through Edgewater, explores the history of how the automobile transformed the Edgewater neighborhood. The exhibit runs until March 13, 2015, and features photographs, maps and other artifacts from the museum’s collection. Related programs will be offered during the exhibit.

In the 1920s, Edgewater became a center for automotive sales and service, with numerous dealerships, garages and parts sellers located along Broadway. The neighborhood was so densely populated with automobile-related businesses that it was dubbed the “North Side Motor Row” by industry experts. [more...]

2014 Summer Nights in Edgewater - Aug. 7

Submitted by Dorothy on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 8:14pm

Join your neighbors again this year, on warm summer nights, for our popular community program of free live performances. From July 10 to August 28, 2014, every Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., different local musicians will entertain you in the beautiful EHS garden. Refreshments will be served. We are pet friendly! All are welcome. Click here for the 2014 schedule.

Thursday, Aug 7: Eileen Censotti, guitar

The Struggle for Chicago's Lakefront - Aug. 2

Submitted by Larry on Thu, 07/03/2014 - 8:05am

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be August 2, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library. The book to be discussed is “Forever Open, Clear, and Free: The struggle for Chicago’s Lakefront” by Lois Wille (University of Chicago Press, 2nd edition, 1991). Click here for more information.

Those Were the Days Radio Players - Aug. 9

Submitted by Larry on Thu, 07/03/2014 - 7:57am

Relive the Golden Age of radio drama with “Those Were the Days Radio Players” - Chicago North chapter. On Saturday, August 9, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the Edgewater Branch Library (6000 N. Broadway), the Radio Players will perform two programs:

Jack Benny Show: Phil Tries to Collect a World Series Bet was originally broadcast on Oct. 13, 1940. The radio series ran from 1932 to 1955 and starred Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone.

Vic and Sade: Sade Thinks Baseball is Just a Game was originally broadcast in 1938 (exact date unknown). The radio series ran from 1932 to 1944 and starred Art Van Harvey and Bernardine Flynn.

We will also hear Abbott and Costello’s classic Who’s on First routine, which was first performed on The Kate Smith Hour radio show in 1938.

Gems from Our Collection (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 11:24am

The current Museum exhibit, “Gems from our Collection,” runs through July 5, 2014. Maybe they’re not jewelry gems, but they’re definitely precious. The exhibit will showcase some of the items donated to EHS over the past 25 years, and tell the story of the object and/or the person who donated it. This will be an eclectic display of items, such as stained glass windows from a demolished Edgewater home or a portable clothes washer made here in Chicago. It will also feature some of the people of Edgewater and their contributions to the culture of Edgewater and Chicago.

2014 Edgewater Living Treasures (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Thu, 05/15/2014 - 10:46pm

On Saturday, June 21, 2014, we will be honoring the recipients of our 2014 Living Treasures of Edgewater award. They are Diane Aitken, Marge Britton, Arloa Sutter and Tracy Van Duinen. Join us at 9:30 a.m. on the second floor of the Broadway Armory (5917 N. Broadway) to learn how they have contributed to our community.

There will be a panel discussion on volunteering, chaired by EHS President Robert Remer and the Hon. Marion Volini. There will also be a performance by the Edgewater Singers to honor their director, Diane Aitkin.

Refreshments will be served. We hope you will join us to thank our awardees for their contribution to making Edgewater a good place to live.

Edgewater's First Chicago Mayor (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 05/02/2014 - 7:20am

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be June 14, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library. The book to be discussed is "The Mayor Who Cleaned Up Chicago: A Political Biography of William E. Dever" by John R. Schmidt (Northern Illinois University Press, 1989). Click here for more information.

Chicago Magic Presentation (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Mon, 03/24/2014 - 10:06pm

On Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. at the Edgewater Branch Library, the Edgewater Historical Society will host a program and author signing for Chicago Magic: A History of Stagecraft and Spectacle (History Press) by David Witter.

The program is free and light refreshments will be available. A limited number of copies of Chicago Magic: A History of Stagecraft and Spectacle will be available for purchase after the program. Click here for more information.

EHS Spring Benefit Dinner (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Wed, 03/19/2014 - 2:43pm

Motoring through Edgewater

Wednesday, April 23, 2014
from 6-9 p.m.
Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant
6120 N. Broadway, Chicago
Donation: $50 ($60 at the door)

Come celebrate with us at our annual Spring Benefit Dinner as we Motor Through Edgewater. A look at the passage into the automobile culture – the fabulous cars and brands of times gone by. Click here to register online.

2014 Annual Meeting (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 02/21/2014 - 6:20pm

Ward MillerThe Edgewater Historical Society is pleased to invite you to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at the Broadway Armory (5917 N. Broadway).

As we enter our 26th year, we look forward to updating you on our successful 25th year, presenting candidates for your Board of Directors, telling you about plans for 2014, and holding a stimulating conversation about preservation and development.

With three landmark districts and positive signs of coming commercial developments, what does the future hold for Edgewater? Our guest speaker will be Ward Miller, President and Executive Director of Preservation Chicago.

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.

Upcoming Events/Tours

If not otherwise specified, events are held at the EHS Museum. If the description ends in “…” click the title for more information.

  • Chicago History Book Group
    08/02/2014 - 1:00pm
    Edgewater Library
    “Forever Open, Clear, and Free: The struggle for Chicago’s Lakefront” by Lois Wille (University of...
  • Summer Nights in the Garden
    08/07/2014 - 6:00pm
    Eileen Censotti, guitar. Summer Nights in the EHS Garden is every Thursday, 6-8 p.m. from July 10 to August 28
  • Those Were the Days Radio Players
    08/09/2014 - 2:00pm
    Edgewater Library
    Jack Benny (Phil Tries to Collect a World Series Bet) and Vic and Sade (Sade Thinks Baseball is Just a Game). Also,...
  • Summer Nights in the Garden
    08/14/2014 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
    Richard Watson, guitar, and Simon Watson, guitar. Summer Nights in the EHS Garden is every Thursday, 6-8 p.m. from July...

[more…]

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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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.