2006-09 RHS Newsletter – FALL 2006

Acclaimed Chicago Tribune journalist and WGN talk show host Rick Kogan will speak at the Beverly Arts Center on September 16, 2006. Hosted in partnership with the Ridge Historical Society, the event will feature Kogan sharing neighborhood stories, answering questions, and signing his books. Tickets are available at the door for $10 each or $15 per couple.

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The Ridge Historical Society is launching a new exhibit titled 'Historically Modern: Early to Mid-20th Century Architecture in Beverly Hills and Morgan Park,' running from September 15 to November 12, 2006. Curated by Jennifer Kenny, the exhibit uses text and photos to highlight Art Deco, Art Moderne, International, and Late Prairie styles in the area. A special lecture by Kenny and architect Joel Morbito is scheduled for October 15 to foster interest in preserving these innovative designs.

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On Sunday, October 8, the Ridge Historical Society will host a Chicago Fire Tour led by independent scholar and docent Herman Schell. The bus tour will visit key sites related to the 1871 fire, including the Chicago Fire Academy (site of the O'Leary home) and the route the fire took through downtown. Schell, a seasoned tourism professional and historical advisor, will provide an entertaining and accurate historical narrative for attendees.

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Starting this fall, the Ridge Historical Society is offering new, free Thursday night programming once a month for members and residents. The series kicks off on September 21st with Dr. Maureen Gilligan discussing the 30-year history of the Ridge Historic District. Subsequent events include an October 19th presentation on Victorian clothing by Pat McGrail and Carol Flynn, and a November 16th genealogy workshop led by Peg Kapustiak and Linda Lamberty.

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Lori McGunn recaps the highly successful July 7th fundraiser featuring BAPA's sensational racing action and the Ridge Historical Society's prime viewing location. The event brought together nearly seventy adults and children for food donated by the McGunn family from Bartolini's Restaurant, games, and a raffle that helped exceed the $3,000 fundraising goal by netting $3,515. Local sponsors and volunteers were thanked for making the summer evening a great success.

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To celebrate its 35th Anniversary, the Ridge Historical Society has launched a commemorative paver program to raise funds for the restoration of the Graver-Driscoll House, archival conservation, and educational outreach. Community members can purchase inscribed bricks for $100 each to permanently memorialize family names, individuals, or special events. The goal is to replace the current flagstone terraces with 1000 of these dedicated bricks, creating a stately new entrance while preserving local history.

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The newsletter presents a 'photo mystery from history,' asking readers if they can identify a windowless, air-conditioned restaurant building that utilized engineering principles from Horton Spheroid steel storage tanks. The text hints at a connection to the former Chicago Bridge and Iron site on Vincennes Avenue or an architectural periodical from the 1930s. RHS encourages anyone with information about this modern architectural structure to contact them.

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Treasurer Bill Sandstrom writes to address the Ridge Historical Society's financial health, noting a budget increase following the hiring of an Executive Director. While the Endowment Fund sits at approximately $220,000, it has grown mostly through past bequests, with none received in the current year. Sandstrom urges members to consider adding a bequest to RHS in their existing wills, explaining that even small estate gifts make a significant difference in balancing the budget and ensuring continued operations.

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The Ridge Historical Society is putting out a call for volunteers, stressing that age or special skills are not a prerequisite. Opportunities exist for students needing community service hours, interns, and general community members. Available tasks include rearranging space, cleaning old storage areas, gardening on the property, serving as docents, conducting house history research, and using PastPerfect Museum software for archiving collections. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Jane Nicoll.

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This memorial article honors Walter J. Kelly (1932-2006), a former History Department chair at Chicago State University and a highly valued 'utility fielder' docent for the Ridge Historical Society. Remembered for his readiness to step in with slide presentations and his deep knowledge of presidential politics, Kelly loved to share historical anecdotes. He is fondly recalled for his steadfast devotion to his Irish-American family, the Catholic church, and the Democratic Party.

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Submitted for the August reunion of the 1943 Morgan Park High School class, Elizabeth Compher Hall shares a fond childhood memory of exploring Chicago with her father. To keep the children entertained safely and cheaply, her father would take them on long rides on the big red streetcars along Western Avenue. Acting as a 'moving playpen,' the streetcar allowed the children to count addresses, read books, interact with diverse passengers, and enjoy a day out while their father read the rules and relaxed.

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Printed upside-down on the mailing panel page, this section serves as a quick-reference calendar for the Ridge Historical Society's Fall 2006 programming. It summarizes dates, times, and brief details for major upcoming events, including Rick Kogan's lecture at the Beverly Arts Center, the Historically Modern architecture exhibit, the Chicago Fire bus tour, and the series of Thursday Member Night presentations on local historic districts, Victorian dress, and family roots.

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