Welcome

Walk Edgewater

Enjoy views of the historic buildings of Edgewater in our own unique outdoor museum. Edgewater has four historic districts, designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and many blocks filled with historic homes. Tours will be led by knowledgeable guides. For descriptions of the tours, click “more…” below.

Note: There are only 9 tours available. Sign up before they sell out.

Surprising Broadway:
DATE: June 8, 2025; TIME: 1:00 p.m.

Andersonville Historic District:
DATE: June 22, 2025; TIME: 11:00 a.m.

Lakewood Balmoral Historic District:
DATE: July 9, 2025; TIME: 5:00 p.m.

North Edgewater Beach:
DATE: July 10, 2025; TIME: 6:00 p.m.

Magnolia Glen:
DATE: July 12, 2025; TIME: 11:00 a.m.

Discover the Art Underfoot: (Osterman Beach pier)
DATE: July 19, 2025; TIME: 10:30 a.m.

Bryn Mawr Historic District:
DATE: August 2, 2025; TIME: 11:00 a.m.

Edgewater Glen Historic District:
DATE: August 9, 2025; TIME: 11:00 a.m.

Discover the Art Underfoot: (Foster beach house)
DATE: August 24, 2025; TIME: 10:30 a.m.

You must register online for each tour, and pay using this link (bit.ly/ehswalk11)

There is a limit of 20 in each tour. Our tour guides, who will have microphones, will lead you through the tour, and share with you our researched brochure. The fee for each tour is $15, which supports the Edgewater Historical Society Museum.

Here are descriptions of all 8 walking tours and their scheduled dates/times: [more...]

If you missed EHS’s recent program which spotlighted the architectural treasures of Broadway in Edgewater, visit the links below for the presentation and the Q&A session that followed.

You can also see EHS’s survey of Broadway’s architecturally significant buildings here

Chicago Neighborhood Architecture: EHS Explores Broadway’s Architectural Treasures videos

(Part 1)

(Part 2)

(Part 3)

(Q&A)

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.

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.