2016-09 RHS Newsletter – Fall 2016

The third installment of the history of Dan Ryan Woods (DRW) details its transformation within the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC). Initially a former stock farm, the land saw significant development during the Great Depression when New Deal alphabet agencies like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were utilized to build infrastructure, including roads, limestone aqueducts, and a prominent warming shelter. Beyond infrastructure, the article highlights the social and cultural history of the woods between the 1930s and 1950s, describing its massive popularity for picnics, twilight choral concerts, winter sports outings organized by Hull House, horseback riding, and even a mock atomic bomb test in 1951, before concluding with notes on the park's land expansion in the mid-1950s.

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This back-page announcement details three upcoming events hosted by the Ridge Historical Society for the winter of 2017. The schedule kicks off on January 7 with "Sweets, Savories and Champagne at RHS," an evening designed for good conversation and refreshments. On January 29, the society will host "Romancing the Spoon: The Victorian Love Affair with Silver," featuring local historian and author Cynthia Ogorek discussing Victorian flatware, alongside a presentation by Errol Magidson on his upcoming book about the historic Givins House (the Irish Castle). Finally, the RHS Annual Meeting of the Members is set for February 19, which will include the business report, elections, and wine and cheese.

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