Welcome

March 17, 2020

To Our Friends and Members,

The Edgewater Historical Society values and relies on the health of its volunteers, members, and everyone in the community. We take seriously the current recommendations from all levels of government to limit gatherings in order to reduce potential exposure to and spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus 2019). We are especially concerned about protecting vulnerable populations that might participate in any of EHS’s upcoming events.

With this in mind, the Edgewater Historical Society Museum will be closed to the public until further notice. We will let you know when we feel it is safe and healthy to resume our hours at the conclusion of the Coronavirus ordeal.

We look forward to celebrating our Grand Reopening. In the meantime, feel free to enjoy the robust information that we have on the EHS website about our Edgewater history.

You also might enjoy some worldwide museums that will have free virtual tours during the Coronavirus ordeal, with links in this Travel and Leisure article.

In addition, EHS is canceling or postponing the following events for the time being:

March 21 Annual Meeting at Edgewater Branch Library (Canceled)

We will reschedule our speaker on the History of the Lakefront for a later date, and we will prepare a summary of the Annual Report to be posted on social media. The volunteer fair will also be rescheduled, but in the meantime, consider joining our fellow volunteers in the coming year.

April 11 Chicago History Book Group (Postponed indefinitely)

We will reschedule the meeting as soon as the Edgewater Library again allows meetings in their Community Room. In the meantime, keep reading, everyone. That’s something we can now do more of, yippee!

April 16 Annual Spring Fundraiser at Breakers Edgewater (Postponed indefinitely)

If you submitted payments for the fundraiser, you will be contacted about a refund or return of your check. We thank our sponsors and silent auction donors; we intend to have the auction at a rescheduled event.

We thank you, our public and members for your support and forbearance during this difficult time.

Board of Directors
Edgewater Historical Society and Museum

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...]

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...]