2001-02 RHS Newsletter – FEBRUARY – MARCH 2001

The Ridge Historical Society is continuing its series of World War II-focused programs in March and April 2001. The featured speaker on March 14th will be Fred Olivi, the co-pilot of "Bock's Car," the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Olivi will share his experiences and present a 20-minute film on the loading of the bombs. Additionally, a Holocaust Memorial Day program is announced for April 25th in collaboration with the Beverly Art Center, featuring survivor Joe Hausner.

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The Ridge Historical Society's January meeting featured a dramatic reading crafted by Sue Delves from the primary source accounts of local veterans Ted Speropulos and Jim Wilson. The presentation detailed the harrowing experiences aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin after it was heavily bombed by a Japanese plane in March 1945. It recounted the raging inferno, the heroic rescue efforts by the USS Santa Fe, and Speropulos's eventual return home to Beverly. The meeting also brought forth other local veterans in the audience, such as James J. Finn, who shared their own connections to the historic naval battles of the Pacific theater.

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The Ridge Historical Society invites members and the public to its Annual Dinner and Meeting. The event is scheduled for Sunday, February 11th at 5 p.m. and will be held at the Dr. German House located at 10924 Prospect Avenue. Reservations are requested by February 4th with an admission cost of $20 per person.

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A new RHS Map Club is being organized for members and friends interested in viewing, discussing, and creating maps. The club's first meeting is planned for February, with initial projects slated to include mapping the historic Vincennes Road and constructing a 3-D model of the Blue Island Ridge stretching from 130th to 87th Street. Interested "cartophiles" are encouraged to contact the RHS Director to help schedule the inaugural meeting.

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This brief feature highlights a sketch of the Gardner House by Murray D. Hetherington. Built in 1837 and located at 9950 Beverly Avenue until its demolition in 1934, the property holds unique historical significance for the area. It was acquired by William Wilcox in 1844 and is reputed to have served as a link in the pre-Civil War Underground Railroad.

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After a year of sorting through decades of donations and attic contents, the Ridge Historical Society has purchased the PastPerfect database to create a comprehensive inventory of its collections. Spearheaded by Board Secretary Eileen Klees, the system allows the society to properly accession and catalog diverse items, ranging from safety pins melted in the Great Chicago Fire to a 75-pound factory whistle from the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company. The article, written by Registrar Harold Wolff, also recounts the interesting provenance of various items, such as 27 dresses originally belonging to the George Pullman family, highlighting the rich local stories attached to the society's archived acquisitions.

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Highlighting that membership is the principal supporting factor for the Ridge Historical Society, this notice urgently requests that members renew their annual commitments. The article emphasizes the importance of Guarantor and Patron levels while noting that support at any level is deeply appreciated and tax-deductible. A convenient clip-out coupon is provided on the page, detailing the various membership tiers ranging from Student ($5) to Guarantor ($500).

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In his regular column, Director Paul Petraitus reflects on the overwhelming success of the year-long "From the Home Front to the Battlefront" World War II exhibit, which significantly boosted attendance and community awareness. As the society consolidates this exhibit into a permanent "History Packet," Petraitus announces a shift in organizational focus toward older historical periods. Upcoming exhibits and programs will delve into the region's pre-history and pioneer days—exploring glaciers, indigenous populations, early frontier families, and landscape development—aiming to fill the gaps in local South Side history that are often left out of standard educational textbooks.

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To expand its public hours, particularly on Saturdays, the Ridge Historical Society is putting out a call for volunteer docents. The society reassures potential volunteers that prior historical knowledge is not strictly required, as on-the-job training and a helpful assortment of local "factoids" regarding Beverly and Morgan Park will be provided. The primary role of a docent involves hanging the "OPEN" flag, greeting visitors cordially, and answering basic questions, providing an excellent opportunity for community members to get involved in local history.

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The Ridge Historical Society invites the community to visit its digital home at www.ridgehistorical.org to stay informed about ongoing activities. The site features information on current exhibits, Harold Wolff's historical house articles, and Dave Daruska's ongoing documentation of the 111th Street Rock Island Metra station restoration. Additionally, the short announcement shares the society's newly added contact email address, ridgehistory@hotmail.com.

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