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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 - Gems from Our Collection

Submitted by Larry on Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:24am

The current Museum exhibit, “Gems from our Collection,” runs through June 29. 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.

Chicago Magic Presentation

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.

Those Were the Days Radio Players (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 02/22/2014 - 8:49pm

Relive the Golden Age of radio drama with “Those Were the Days Radio Players” - Chicago North chapter. On Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the Edgewater Branch Library (6000 N. Broadway), the Radio Players will perform two programs:

Life of Riley: Simon the Waiter Blackmails Riley was originally broadcast on Apr 26, 1947. The radio series ran from January 16, 1944 to June 29, 1951, and starred William Bendix as Riley.

Fibber McGee and Molly: Fibber is House Sitting was originally broadcast on Apr 2, 1940. The radio series ran from April 16, 1935 to October 2, 1959, and starred the husband and wife team of Jim Jordan and Marian Driscoll Jordan.

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.

Living Treasures of Edgewater (Past)

Submitted by Barb on Fri, 10/18/2013 - 9:45am

The current Museum exhibit is Living Treasures of Edgewater: Celebrating Diversity and Building Community. The Edgewater Living Treasures exhibit honors those people who have made a difference – some in a profound, fundamental way, and others in a small but significant action that has affected the well being of the Edgewater community. Their deeds were not driven by personal gain, but to help the people of the community in some way – whether generating beauty, fostering harmony, helping the less fortunate or encouraging grass roots activity. These Living Treasures have helped create public spaces and organizations and they have imparted values which both celebrate diversity and build community. Click here for more information.

Senn Anniversary Exhibit (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Thu, 10/17/2013 - 12:00pm

The Edgewater Historical Society is joining in the 100 year anniversary of Senn High School by showcasing some of Senn’s most famous graduates in a new exhibit at the Museum. In addition to brief biographies, the exhibit includes memorabilia such as cartoons from yearbooks, graduation programs, a sample report card, Senn publications and the display of some of the Senn yearbooks in the EHS collection.

The exhibit will be available during normal Museum hours – Saturday and Sunday from 1‑4 p.m. – through December 29, 2013.

Hidden History of Uptown and Edgewater (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Tue, 10/15/2013 - 4:35pm

On Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Edgewater Branch Library, the Edgewater Historical Society will host the book launch and author signing for Hidden History of Uptown & Edgewater (History Press) by Patrick Butler.

The program is free and light refreshments will be available. A limited number of copies of Hidden History of Uptown & Edgewater will be available for purchase after the program. Click here for more information.

25th Anniversary Gala (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Tue, 10/01/2013 - 12:00pm

Please note: Reservations must be received no later than Thursday, October 31. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

The EHS 25th Anniversary Gala will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 from 6‑10 p.m. at the Breakers at Edgewater Beach, 5333 N. Sheridan (on the site of the original Edgewater Beach Hotel). There will be dining, music, dancing and community awards. Tickets are $75 and period dress is welcome. Click here for more information and to order tickets.

2013 Austin Wyman Lecture (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 12:00pm

A Brand Plucked From the Fire: The Life of Rabbi Herman E. SchaalmanThe 2013 Fall General meeting and Austin Wyman Lecture will be on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Emanuel Congregation, 5959 N. Sheridan Rd.

This year’s lecture, in collaboration with the Chicago Jewish Historical Society, will be an afternoon conversation with Edgewater’s Rabbi Herman E. Schaalman and his biographer, Richard Damashek. The program is free and kosher refreshments will be served.

A limited number of copies of A Brand Plucked From the Fire: The Life of Rabbi Herman E. Schaalman will be available for purchase after the presentation. Click here for more information.

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 Magic - Author presentation
    05/10/2014 - 11:30am
    Edgewater Library
    Program and author signing for Chicago Magic: A History of Stagecraft and Spectacle (History Press) by David...
  • Memorial Day Parade
    05/26/2014 - 10:00am
    Along Clark St.
    Parade goes down Clark Street to Rosehill Cemetery
  • Andersonville Midsommarfest
    06/07/2014 - 10:00am
    Clark Street
    EHS will have a booth Saturday and Sunday
  • Andersonville Midsommarfest
    06/08/2014 - 10:00am
    Clark Street
    EHS will have a booth Saturday and Sunday

[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.