Welcome

The first Edgewater Hospital building ca 1930
1908 building on Clark at Balmoral having the brick facade replaced
Delivery wagons next to Gengler store on Summerdale at Clark, 1902
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

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the Betty A. Barclay Community Room at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway.

This is an in-person event. Masks are strongly encouraged in all CPL locations.

The subject of the meeting is “Country & Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival” by Mark Guarino. Click here for a flyer.

Homegrown history: Honoring Edgewater's heritage trees

After a non-winter and very cold spring, summer finally seems to be coming to Chicago. So what better time for the Edgewater Historical Society (EHS) to launch its latest initiative – Honoring Edgewater’s Heritage Trees. The initiative is multi-faceted and features an exhibit at our museum, a series of tree-related lecture programs, and most importantly a survey of all of Edgewater’s “heritage trees” or those that are more than 50 years old.

This ambitious program grew out of an effort by the Edgewater Glen Association (EGA) block club, when residents became concerned after seeing a number of their majestic parkway trees cut down in recent years. Spearheaded by local resident Andrea Raila, a complete survey of EGA’s parkway trees – along Norwood, Glenlake, Hood and Granville – was conducted over the past year, and the findings and methodology of the survey are documented in the Heritage Tree Audit booklet and the Tree Survey instructions.

New exhibit: As Time Goes By in Edgewater - 1885 to the Present

“As Time Goes By” is the title of the newest exhibit at the Edgewater Historical Society Museum, 5358 N. Ashland, which opens the weekend of May 28-29, and will continue for many months.

The exhibit features 150 photos of the story of Edgewater from 1885 to the present. A special section tells the story of the Edgewater Beach Hotel. In the months to come there will be more features on the Schools and Churches in Edgewater.

The exhibit will be open during regular museum hours, but special tours may be arranged for a small donation.

New Exhibit: Indigenous Edgewater: Exploring Native History

EHS presents our newest exhibit, “Indigenous Edgewater - Exploring Native History.” The exhibit documents Indigenous culture from 10,000 years ago to the present day. The Indigenous Edgewater exhibit will be available on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. at 5358 N. Ashland Ave.

Natives have lived in the Edgewater area for over 10,000 years. Marsha Holland, exhibit co-curator, discusses Native history in the greater Edgewater area, focusing on the archeological findings of Bowmanville Village and beyond. To view, click here.

Without Natives, would we have Chicago as we know it? Marjorie Fritz-Birch, exhibit co-curator, explores Native contributions to the greater Edgewater area and beyond. To view, click here.

"Remembering Edgewater Beach Hotel" interviews

There have been two recent radio interviews with Kathy Gemperle and John Holden, the authors of “Remembering Edgewater Beach Hotel.” If you want to hear the interviews, they can be found at:

WGN Radio: After Hours with Rick Hogan on July 25, 2021

WCPT Radio: Where Are They Now with Art Andros on November 20, 2021

Virtual Museum exhibits

EHS MuseumWe invite you on a virtual curator’s tour of our recent exhibits:

Edgewater Beach Hotel: 100 Years Later

The Chicago Conspiracy Trial: One Juror’s Ordeal

High Water and Hell: Rising Lake Puts Chicago on Edge

Here is another past exhibit you may remember:

Greetings from Edgewater (2012): description and video

Ed Marciniak's City and Church (Past)

Wednesday, October 25th
6:00 p.m. Reception | 6:30 p.m. Talk
St. Ita Catholic Church, Jubilee Hall
5500 N. Broadway, Chicago

Edgewater resident Ed Marciniak wore many hats in his 84 years: a civil rights activist who worked with Martin Luther King; WWII conscientious objector; Loyola professor; champion of laborers; and prophet of inclusive community revitalization that laid the groundwork for the blossoming of Edgewater.

Please join author Charles Shanabruch for a lively discussion of his new biography “Ed Marciniak: A Voice of Conscience.” Click here for a flyer.

Chicago History Book Group (Past)

The next meeting of the Chicago History Book Club will be Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the Betty A. Barclay Community Room at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library, 6000 N. Broadway.

This is an in-person event. Masks are strongly encouraged in all CPL locations.

The subject of the meeting is “Chicago’s Great Fire: The Destruction and Resurrection of an Iconic American City” by Carl Smith. Click here for a flyer.

2023 Edgewater Home Tour (Past)

The 32nd Annual Edgewater Home Tour is this coming Sunday, September 24, 2023.

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

You may purchase tickets online with a credit card (through Saturday 9/23) BUT you must print your receipt and bring it with you. Also, there will be no refunds. bit.ly/ehstour2

2023 Photography Contest (Past)

The Edgewater Historical Society photography contest is back! The theme this year is “Edgewater’s Trees,” and the contest runs until October 31, 2023. Click here for more information.

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