Probably the number one request we get at the Ridge Historical Society (RHS) is for house histories, and one of the themes of RHS is that “every house has a history.” Researching the origins of a home – who designed it, who built it, when, how much did it cost, etc. – is especially interesting to those who own homes in a historic community like Beverly/Morgan Park.
The “Hetherington Design Dynasty” exhibit that is currently on display at RHS through the end of this year profiles the architectural work of three generations of the Hetherington family who lived on the Ridge and designed many fine homes here. Now, as part of the exhibit, an Architectural Lecture Series has been scheduled for Friday evenings in November.
The first program, scheduled for November 4th at 7:00 p.m., will be “Discover the History of Your Chicago House.” Tim Blackburn will be the presenter, and attendees will learn how to research the histories of their pre-1955 homes within the city, including the architecture, construction, inhabitants, and owners. The research methods and information covered will include building permits, local history, Chicago streets’ renumbering, Sanborn maps, and more.
Tim Blackburn is a member of the RHS Historic Buildings Committee. He assists members of the community with research on their homes and local history questions. He has completed extensive research on his Hetherington designed home, and is a major contributor to RHS’s current exhibit, “Hetherington Design Dynasty.”
Tim works in technology as a Vice President for a global marketing and data company. He is a Chicago Marathon runner, which provides him the opportunity to study the architecture of the Ridge during his long training runs. On Sunday, he completed his eleventh Chicago Marathon. This shows he has the determination and follow-through to tackle the most complicated history requests at RHS!!
Two other programs are planned for the series and will be covered in detail in the next posts.
On Friday, November 11, Photographer Mati Maldre will present, “Photographing Architecture and a View Camera Demonstration.”
On Friday, November 18, Michael Lambert, Architect, Historian, and Preservationist, will present “John Todd Hetherington: From Lake Forest to Geneva.”
RHS is located at 10621 S. Seeley Avenue. The cost per program is $10/members, $15/non-members. A reception will follow each lecture. Information about reservations will be posted in the next few days, and reservations are recommended.
These images of the Graver-Driscoll House, RHS Headquarters, were taken by Mati Maldre. He will share his expertise on photographing architecture as part of the Friday Evening Hetherington Architectural Lecture Series in November.