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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

Save the Nordine Mansion from Demolition

Submitted by Larry on Mon, 01/13/2020 - 2:28pm

We Need Your Help to Save the Nordine Mansion from Demolition
Support Landmarking

A demolition permit to tear down the historic Nordine Home in Edgewater was recently filed with the City of Chicago. We need your help to stop it.

This 1902 gem, designed by the famous Pond & Pond firm is a prime example of Arts and Craft design, and is the finest, and one of the of few remaining, single family homes in the original Edgewater. And it was owned for over 50 years by the noted Ken Nordine, “creator of a style of audio storytelling he called ‘word jazz,’ one of the most celebrated voices on radio or TV.” He broadcast his WMAQ radio show from the 3rd floor Snail Studios that saw or recorded the likes of Jerry Garcia, Fred Astaire and many other musicians of note. [more...]

Chicago History Book Group

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 01/18/2020 - 3:28pm

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the Betty A. Barclay Community Room at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway.

The books to be discussed are: “Ida: A Sword Among Lions” By Paula J. Giddings, and “To Tell the Truth Freely: The Life of Ida B. Wells” By Mia Bay.

Click here for a flyer.

Exhibit: High Water and Hell

Submitted by Larry on Tue, 01/07/2020 - 5:57pm

Rising Lake Puts Chicago on Edge

The recent dramatic rise in the level of Lake Michigan is posing a serious – though not unprecedented – threat to property on Chicago’s lakefront. A new exhibit opening January 11 at the Edgewater History Museum – “High Water and Hell: Rising Lake Puts Chicago on Edge” – examines how the previous record high lake levels in the late 1980s severely battered the City and caused extensive damage to Chicago’s lakefront communities. [more...]

Exhibit: The Chicago Conspiracy Trial

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 08/17/2018 - 8:59pm

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 - 11:55am

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 (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Mon, 11/04/2019 - 8:34am

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the Betty A. Barclay Community Room at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway.

The books to be discussed are: “For the Thrill of It: Leopold, Loeb and the Murder that Shocked Chicago” By Simon Baatz, “Leopold and Loeb: The Crime of the Century” By Hal Higdon, and “The Leopold and Loeb Files” By Nina Barrett.

Click here for a flyer.

"Edgewater Beach Hotel" gallery talk (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 11/01/2019 - 10:02am

Join curator Kathy Gemperle for an “Edgewater Beach Hotel” exhibit gallery talk on Thursday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the Edgewater Historical Society Museum, 5358 N. Ashland, Chicago.

New acquisitions will be shown. There will be door prizes, and refreshments will be served. Space is limited, so please RSVP using the ContactUs button above. We’re sorry, but reservations are now closed.

Wanted: Edgewater Living Treasures Award Nominations (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 5:35pm

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 September 29, 2019. Click here for the nomination form. Winners of the award are at the sole discretion of the Edgewater Historical Society. [more...]

Chicago History Book Group (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 08/31/2019 - 8:21am

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the Betty A. 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 (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 08/31/2019 - 8:13am

Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Edgewater Branch, Chicago Public Library
Betty A. 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.

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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.