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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

2019 Edgewater Home Tour (This Sunday!!)

Submitted by Larry on Mon, 07/01/2019 - 6:20pm

The 31st Annual Edgewater Home Tour is Sunday, September 15, 2019.

This year, the tour will feature homes and their interiors in the Edgewater Glen neighborhood. The $25/person admission includes the tour booklet and refreshments. Click here for more information.

Exhibit: The Chicago Conspiracy Trial

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 08/17/2018 - 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. [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...]

Chicago History Book Group

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 08/31/2019 - 9:21am

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the Betty Barclay Community Room at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway.

The books to be discussed are: “When Public Housing was Paradise” By J. S. Fuerst, “The Poorhouse: Subsidized Housing in Chicago” By Devereaux Bowley, and “Highrisers: Cabrini-Green and the Fate of American Public Housing” By Ben Austen.

Click here for a flyer.

EHS Annual Wyman Lecture

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 08/31/2019 - 9:13am

Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Edgewater Branch, Chicago Public Library
Betty Barclay Community Room
6000 N. Broadway, Chicago 60660

How Edgewater and the North Lakefront’s Demographics Have Changed in the Past Half Century

Edgewater and Chicago’s larger north lakefront have undergone dramatic economic and demographic shifts over the past half century. What are the driving forces behind these changes and what do they portend for the area’s future? Join Rob Paral, Chicago’s keenest demographic observer, for a lively and thought-provoking examination of who we are as a community, where we’ve been and where we are going.

Chicago History Book Group (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 05/31/2019 - 12:44pm

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the Betty Barclay Community Room at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway.

The books to be discussed are: “Fighting Jane: Mayor Jane Byrne and the Chicago Machine” By Bill Granger and Lori Granger, “Brass: Jane Byrne and the Pursuit of Power” By Kathleen Whalen FitzGerald, and “My Chicago” By Jane Byrne.

Click here for a flyer.

How Luxembourgers Shaped Chicago and Edgewater (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 05/31/2019 - 10:04am

Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Edgewater Branch, Chicago Public Library
6000 N. Broadway, Chicago 60660

Did you know Edgewater’s first permanent settlers were Luxembourgers who had a farm where Senn High School is? Outside of Luxembourg itself, Chicago is the largest center of Luxembourgers in the world. Kevin Wester, retired executive director of the Luxembourger American Cultural Society, will give a wide-ranging overview on how immigrants from one of Europe’s smallest nations had a big impact on Chicago. Click here for a flyer. The program is free to the Public and refreshments will be served.

Update: The Edgewater Historical Society’s July lecture on how the Luxembourgers changed Chicago drew a large crowd, including the writer for the Chicago Reader, who published this report.

Chicago History Book Group (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Thu, 05/30/2019 - 10:15am

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the Betty Barclay Community Room at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway.

The books to be discussed are: “Chicago Comedy” by Margaret Hicks, “The Second City” by Sheldon Patinkin, and “The Second City Unscripted” by Mike Thomas.

Click here for a flyer.

2019 Summer Nights in Edgewater (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Thu, 05/30/2019 - 8:35am

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, 2019, every Wednesday 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 2019 schedule.

2019 Living Treasures of Edgewater (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 05/10/2019 - 5:49pm

Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
Edgewater Branch Library, 6000 N. Broadway

You are cordially invited to attend the formal induction of Tricia Van Eck, Ginger Williams, Jack Markowski and Pat Sharkey into the Living Treasures of Edgewater, for outstanding service to the Edgewater community.

Click here for more information about the Edgewater Living Treasures program.

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.

  • 2019 Home Tour
    09/15/2019 - 12:00pm - 4:00pm
    Edgewater Glen
    Register at St. Gertrude Church (6200 N. Glenwood) between Noon and 4:00 p.m.
  • Chicago History Book Group
    10/12/2019 - 10:00am
    Edgewater Library
    Chicago Public Housing (Click here for a flyer)
  • Wyman Lecture
    11/09/2019 - 2:00pm
    Edgewater Library
    Speaker: Rob Paral

[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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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.