2000-12 RHS Newsletter – DECEMBER 2000 – JANUARY 2001

The Ridge Historical Society's World War II exhibit recently caught the attention of local media, resulting in a Channel 2 feature that interviewed veteran Bruce Walker and RHS Director Paul Petraitis. Exciting new exhibit materials continue to arrive, including Manhattan Project documents and a video tape concerning the atomic bomb, which will be presented by veteran Fred Olivi. In addition to the WWII history, the article notes RHS's future plans to explore the local pioneer past, the Vincennes Road stagecoach routes, and the area's underground railroad stations in conjunction with the Calumet Heritage Commission and the National Park Service.

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Driscoll House, the main and most visible asset of the Ridge Historical Society, is in urgent need of repairs to its south facade roof and gutters before the winter snows begin. Water damage is already obvious in the second-floor costumes room, prompting an emergency appeal for $8,600 to cover these essential repair costs. Members and friends of the Society are strongly encouraged to make tax-deductible financial contributions to help preserve the historic property, with contact information provided for Doris Moulton and Bill Sandstrom to handle donations.

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Continuing the World War II theme of their current exhibit, the Driscoll House will be decorated for a wartime Christmas as part of the fourth annual Holiday Parlor Tour on Sunday, December 3. A professional historical dramatist, R. J. Lindsey, will be present to portray President Franklin Delano Roosevelt preparing for a fireside chat, accompanied by costumed RHS members making Yuletide decorations. The expansive tour also includes a luncheon at the German House, a renowned mechanical holiday display at Cork & Kerry Tavern, and visits to private homes featuring elaborate and festive collections of ornaments.

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Morgan Park resident Fred Olivi, who served as the co-pilot of the B-29 bomber "Bock's Car" during the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, will be the featured speaker at the December 10 RHS meeting. Olivi enlisted in the Air Corps in 1942 and will share a 20-minute film showing the loading of the atomic bombs into both the Enola Gay and Bock's Car. His extensive military career later included roles in counterintelligence, serving as a liaison officer for the Air Force Academy, and eventually writing a book titled "Decision at Nagasaki: The Mission That Almost Failed" after receiving clearance to publicly discuss the historic event.

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The Ridge Historical Society will extend the holiday season with a special history program on Sunday, January 7, 2001, immediately following a short business meeting. Dr. Robert Wirtshafter will present a firsthand account of his Christmas experiences while serving during the historic Battle of the Bulge. To provide contrast to his battlefield stories, the second half of the program will shift focus to what Christmas was like on the home front during the war years.

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As an interesting element of the ongoing World War II exhibit, the Society is highlighting the life of the late Captain George R. Wendt of the U.S. Naval Reserve, a prominent Chicagoan and 1943 Notre Dame graduate. Wendt's military career included service in amphibious operations, intelligence work in Germany, and influential roles in public relations that notably earned the Navy a "Silver Anvil" award for Operation Inland Sea. In his civilian life, Wendt was a highly active community leader, serving as a director of Beverly Bank, the Past Commander of Beverly Hills Post Amvets, and holding top leadership positions in numerous civic, hospital, and naval organizations.

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The November 6 Board meeting covered numerous operational updates and strategic plans from various Ridge Historical Society committees. The House & Grounds Committee reported on urgent, $8,600 roof and gutter repairs needed for the Driscoll House, utilizing lead-coated copper to replace crumbling materials. Other significant highlights included the Nominating Committee assembling its slate for upcoming elections, the Bylaws Committee preparing updated governance documents, the Planning Committee researching grant potentials, and the Archives Committee implementing new PastPerfect software for cataloging items. Additionally, the Objects Committee requested a name change to Artifacts Committee, and the Costumes Committee noted commendable progress in mending and inventorying the Society's clothing collection.

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The November 12 Ridge Historical Society meeting featured a fascinating presentation by Steve Zang, a local historian and passionate collector of military uniforms. Zang displayed a wide variety of pieces from his collection, which dates back to when he started it in the sixth grade, thoroughly detailing the sources of the items and the significance of their military insignia. Standout artifacts from his presentation included a personal flag traditionally given to departing Japanese soldiers by their families, as well as a Japanese pilot's heated flight suit designed to plug directly into an aircraft's electrical system.

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The Ridge Historical Society recently received official notification that it has been designated as a "Delegate Agency of the City of Chicago." This new status formally recognizes the Society as an authentic and reliable source of information regarding individual historic homes in the area and the broader responsibilities and benefits of living within a Historic District. The prestigious designation was actively supported and encouraged by local Alderman Ginger Rugai in collaboration with the City's Department of Housing.

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