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

Chicago History Book Group

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 10:07am

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, April 13, 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: “Red Summer: The Summer of 1919 and the Awakening of Black America” by Cameron McWhirter, “City of Scoundrels: The 12 days of Disaster that Gave Birth to Modern Chicago” by Gary Krist, and “The Chicago Race Riots: July 1919” by Carl Sandburg.

Click here for a flyer.

EHS Spring Benefit Dinner (Save the date)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 9:18am

Tuesday, April 16, 2019
from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
The Breakers at Edgewater Beach
5333 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago
Donation: $80 ($75 each for two or more)

Come join with your friends and neighbors for an unforgettable evening celebrating a bygone era when ROCK was king.

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

Reservations and payment must be received no later than Tuesday, April 9th.

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...]

2019 Annual Meeting (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Mon, 02/25/2019 - 2:59pm

Bonnie McDonaldThe Edgewater Historical Society invites you to the 2019 Annual Meeting, presenting candidates for your Board of Directors and telling you about plans for 2019-20. The meeting will be on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Chicago Waldorf School, 5200 N. Ashland Ave. At 9 a.m. there will be optional tours of the school, an exhibit of historic photos of Trumbull School, and refreshments. Click here for a flyer.

Our speaker will be Bonnie McDonald, Edgewater resident and President of Landmarks Illinois. Her subject is "Developers: Friends or Foes of Preservation?" She will weigh in on scores of pending and actual developments affecting Edgewater and the North Side.

The program is free to the Public and refreshments will be served.

Chicago Conspiracy Trial exhibit on CAN-TV

Submitted by Larry on Sun, 12/23/2018 - 1:42pm

Marjorie Fritz-Birch and John Holden were interviewed on CAN-TV to discuss our current exhibit on The Chicago Conspiracy Trial, which will run throughout next year. It was a very interesting interview focusing on Jean Fritz’s journals that Mary Schmich wrote about in the August 19, 2018 Chicago Tribune.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa9jotb41yA (first 30 minutes)

Chicago History Book Group (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 12/21/2018 - 9:39am

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway.

The books to be discussed are: “From the Bullet to the Ballot” by Jakobi Williams and “The Assassination of Fred Hampton” by Jeffrey Haas.

Click here for a flyer.

Chicago History Book Group (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sun, 11/11/2018 - 1:07pm

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, December 8, 2018 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: “Algren: A Life” By Mary Wisniewski, and “Nelson Algren: A Life on the Wild Side” By Bettina Drew

Click here for a flyer.

Native Americans in Chicago (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Thu, 10/25/2018 - 12:45pm

Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
Edgewater Branch, Chicago Public Library
Betty Barclay Community Room
6000 N. Broadway, Chicago 60660

Prof. Theodore Karamanski will be speaking on the important history of Native Americans in Chicago, including the North Side, where Rogers Ave. was a significant border in the history of treaties as they were pushed ever westward. Edgewater was also the site of seasonal village settlements when Kenmore and Winthrop were wetland swales for harvesting wild rice. Click here for a flyer.

Stop the demolition of 6312/6330 N. Winthrop (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sun, 10/14/2018 - 5:37pm

Loyola is planning to tear down viable properties and displace families so they can build dorms for sophomore students. The dorms will be used only nine months of the year. We are asking for your support to help us send a message to Loyola to stop tearing down viable property in the Edgewater community.

Click for more information about 6312 Winthrop and 6330 Winthrop.

Add your voice. Please sign the petition.

Click here to sign the ON-LINE PETITION

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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.

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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.