Welcome

Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
Via Zoom

The Ordinary Man Who Made Chicago Rational

As Chicago grew through the consolidation of smaller municipalities, its street naming and numbering system became a confusing hodgepodge. It took the efforts of one dedicated North Side citizen, Edward Brennan, to convince the city’s business leaders and politicians to try to rationalize the Grid. While Daniel Burnham tried to make the “City Beautiful,” Brennan strove to make the city logical. Join noted Chicago writer Bill Savage, who will draw on research for his next book (working title: The City Logical, or Why Daniel Burnham is Way Over-Rated) for this amazing story.

You must register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Click here for a flyer.

The Edgewater Historical Society is seeking nominees for its Edgewater Living Treasures Award. EHS invites Edgewater residents to submit the name(s) of anyone whom they feel is deserving of the award by October 15, 2020. Click here for the nomination form. Winners of the award are at the sole discretion of the Edgewater Historical Society. [more...]

March 17, 2020

To Our Friends and Members,

The Edgewater Historical Society values and relies on the health of its volunteers, members, and everyone in the community. We take seriously the current recommendations from all levels of government to limit gatherings in order to reduce potential exposure to and spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus 2019). We are especially concerned about protecting vulnerable populations that might participate in any of EHS’s upcoming events.

With this in mind, the Edgewater Historical Society Museum will be closed to the public until further notice. We will let you know when we feel it is safe and healthy to resume our hours at the conclusion of the Coronavirus ordeal.

We look forward to celebrating our Grand Reopening. In the meantime, feel free to enjoy the robust information that we have on the EHS website about our Edgewater history.

You also might enjoy some worldwide museums that will have free virtual tours during the Coronavirus ordeal, with links in this Travel and Leisure article.

In addition, EHS is canceling or postponing the following events for the time being:

March 21 Annual Meeting at Edgewater Branch Library (Canceled)

We will reschedule our speaker on the History of the Lakefront for a later date, and we will prepare a summary of the Annual Report to be posted on social media. The volunteer fair will also be rescheduled, but in the meantime, consider joining our fellow volunteers in the coming year.

April 11 Chicago History Book Group (Postponed indefinitely)

We will reschedule the meeting as soon as the Edgewater Library again allows meetings in their Community Room. In the meantime, keep reading, everyone. That’s something we can now do more of, yippee!

April 16 Annual Spring Fundraiser at Breakers Edgewater (Postponed indefinitely)

If you submitted payments for the fundraiser, you will be contacted about a refund or return of your check. We thank our sponsors and silent auction donors; we intend to have the auction at a rescheduled event.

We thank you, our public and members for your support and forbearance during this difficult time.

Board of Directors
Edgewater Historical Society and Museum

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. [more...]