2008-03 RHS Newsletter – SPRING 2008

Prompted by reminiscences from his daughter Jane Elizabeth Poole, this article delves into the career of James Edward Poole (1863-1945). Known as a veteran mouthpiece of the livestock market, Poole reached audiences across the Midwest through print and radio, working for the Chicago Daily Drovers Journal, Radio station WLS, and WGN. The piece highlights his colorful writing style, immense memory, and significant influence in agricultural reporting, culminating in a fifty-three-year career at the Chicago Stock Yards.

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RHS President Doris Moulten expresses gratitude for recent upgrades to the RHS headquarters, including exterior painting, new landscaping, and interior office furniture donations. She also highlights the significant progress made by volunteers in organizing the library and reference room with new archival shelving and file cabinets, emphasizing that volunteer efforts are crucial to fulfilling the Society's mission of preserving local history.

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This article outlines the history and mission of the Ridge Historical Society, founded in the early 1970s to preserve the unique character of the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park area. Headquartered in the historic Graver-Driscoll House, the Society collects and provides access to local historical documents and artifacts. The author emphasizes that as a non-profit, the RHS relies heavily on membership dues, donations, and volunteer support to maintain the collection, pay utilities, and offer programming, prompting members to renew their annual dues.

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Herman Schell invites community members, including neighbors and students needing service hours, to participate in the upcoming spring cleanup of the RHS grounds and driveway. Planning to meet during evenings or a weekend in April and early May, he provides contact information for interested volunteers to coordinate the best times to tackle the yard work.

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This section serves as a public acknowledgment of the donors who gave monetary gifts above and beyond their standard membership dues to the 2007 Annual Fund, a vital source of unrestricted income for the museum. Additionally, a "More thank you's are in order" subsection expresses gratitude to specific community members, local scout troops, schools, and organizations for their hands-on assistance with landscaping, archiving, and event hosting over recent months.

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Maureen Gilligan reflects on the concept of New Year's resolutions and shares her specific goal to make her second term as an RHS board member a memorable year of volunteer service. Recognizing that donating time and ideas can be just as valuable as financial contributions, she details her plan to work weekly on organizing the photograph collection, inviting others to join her in making a tangible difference through volunteerism.

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Dr. Carleton Dangremond, Jr. recently surprised the RHS with an original photograph of the 1916 Morgan Park High School football team, which he salvaged from the trash while cleaning out a relative's home. The photo, featuring his father and uncle, represents a "historian's dream" as it includes detailed identifications of the players. The article also touches upon RHS's efforts to connect with alumni at high school reunions and promotes available historical books and prints for sale.

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Anticipating the 135th anniversary of St. Margaret of Scotland Church in 2009, this article explores the deep roots of the Catholic community in the Washington Heights area, dating back before the church's formal founding in 1874. It details the early geography of the parish, the initial demographic of German, Irish, and Luxembourgian immigrants, and the establishment of the original one-room school operated by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, which eventually evolved into the Longwood Academy for Girls. The RHS also puts out a call to the community for more information regarding the history of the parish from 1950 onward.

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The Ridge Historical Society announces a book signing event featuring local author Ellen Skerrett and Mary Lesch, co-editors of a new memoir about Francis O'Neill, who served as General Superintendent of Chicago Police at the turn of the 20th century. The book, Chief O'Neill's Sketchy Recollections of an Eventful Life in Chicago, covers his rise from an Irish immigrant to police chief, highlighting his involvement in major historical events like the Pullman strike, as well as his deep passion for preserving traditional Irish music. The event will take place at the Beverly Art Center on March 30th.

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An upcoming exhibition at the Beverly Arts Center will showcase the diverse photographic works of Mati Maldre, spanning four decades from 1968 to 2008. The exhibit will feature view camera architectural photographs, documentary and traditional images, and experimental projects. Highlights include his early Chicago Lakefront work and recent landscapes of Jens Jensen designs in Beverly, reflecting his long tenure as an Emeritus Professor of Art at Chicago State University.

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The back page of the newsletter provides a quick reference calendar for upcoming local history events. Key dates include the RHS Annual Meeting on February 24th, two Historic Chicago Bungalow Association programs in February and May, the Chief O'Neill book signing on March 30th, and the Mati Maldre photography exhibit opening on April 4th. These events offer members various opportunities to engage with local history, architecture, and art.

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