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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

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 will be celebrated with an exhibit at the Edgewater Historical Society and Museum. The exhibit will be open on weekends through June 4, 2017. 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 Tue, 09/13/2016 - 8:52am

Robber BaronThe next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library.

The books to be discussed are: “The Electric City: Energy and the Growth of the Chicago Area, 1880-1930” by Harold L. Platt, “Robber Baron: The Life of Charles Tyson Yerkes” by John Franch, and “A Spirit Capable: The Story of Commonwealth Edison” by John Hogan

2016 Edgewater Home Tour (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Wed, 08/10/2016 - 6:10pm

The 28th Annual Edgewater Home Tour is Sunday, September 18, 2016.

Register at Unity Lutheran Church (1212 West Balmoral) between Noon and 4:00 p.m.

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

Chicago History Book Group (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 07/09/2016 - 3:10pm

Chicago JournalismThe next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library.

The books to be discussed are: “Chicago Journalism: A History” by Wayne Klatt, “The Colonel: Life and Legend of Robert R. McCormick” by Richard Norton Smith, and “Deadline and Monkeyshines: Fabled World of Chicago Journalism” by John McPhaul. Click here for a flyer.

Tuesday Bike Rides and Local Edgewater History (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 07/08/2016 - 3:27pm

Go EdgewaterWant to ride your bike and get some exercise and local history at the same time?

EHS is again supporting the GO EDGEWATER summer program in the evening bike rides every Tuesday, usually at 6:15 under the Thorndale “L”. The topics for the remaining tours are listed below. Check below for exact location and time.

On Tuesday, August 9th we will ride around the boundaries of Edgewater. Meet at 6:15 p.m. under the Thorndale “L” station. [more...]

EHS General Meeting (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 06/04/2016 - 9:57am

Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.
Edgewater Branch Library, 6000 N. Broadway

Our June program will honor the 2016 Living Treasures of Edgewater. Each of the three individuals being honored this year has done something special to make Edgewater the wonderful community we enjoy today. The presentation will give you a grass roots insight into why Edgewater is unique in Chicago. We encourage you to attend, recognize our Living Treasures and celebrate their accomplishments.

For a list of the 2016 Living Treasures, with photos, please click here.

2016 Summer Nights in Edgewater (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 06/03/2016 - 8:51am

Join your neighbors again this year, on warm summer nights, for our popular community program of free live performances. From July 7 to August 25, 2016, every Thursday 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 2016 schedule.

Chicago History Book Group (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 05/13/2016 - 3:03pm

The OutfitThe next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library.

The books to be discussed are: “Captive City” by Ovid Demaris, “Family Secrets” by Jeff Coen, “Mob Cop” by Fred Pascente, and “The Outfit” by Gus Russo. Click here for a flyer.

Voices of Edgewater (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sun, 03/13/2016 - 11:12am

The Voices of Edgewater exhibit runs through May 28, 2016.

“Voices of Edgewater” is a major exhibit on immigration in Edgewater. It includes the stories, oral histories, artifacts, photos, textiles, maps and census statistics of the many waves of immigrants who settled in Edgewater. Even before its founding in 1889, Edgewater had been home to immigrants. The first permanent settlers came from Luxembourg and Germany in the 1840s establishing celery farms. [more...]

EHS Spring Benefit Dinner (Past)

Submitted by Larry on Sat, 03/12/2016 - 3:04pm

Tuesday, April 19, 2016
from 6-9 p.m.
Pork Shoppe
5721 N. Clark Street, Chicago
Donation: $60 ($55 each for two or more)

Our annual Spring Benefit celebrates The Voices of Edgewater, the people who through the years have helped create the dynamic community we enjoy today. Join with us, your friends and neighbors, for great food, a silent auction, announcement of our 2016 Living Treasures and the EHS Volunteer of the Year, and celebrate the unique qualities of our community.

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

  • Chicago History Book Group
    10/08/2016 - 10:00am
    Edgewater Library
    “The Electric City: Energy and the Growth of the Chicago Area, 1880-1930” by Harold L. Platt, “Robber...
  • Gallery talk
    10/08/2016 - 12:30pm
    The exhibit curator discusses “Edgewater Beach Hotel - 100 Years Later”
  • EHS General Meeting
    10/15/2016 - 10:00am
    Edgewater Library
    TBA

[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.

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.