Explore the RHS Facebook Archives, a rich repository of local history written by Carol Flynn. For two decades, Carol brought a deeply dedicated voice to public education at RHS. Her role as Facebook administrator through mid-2025 naturally extended her prolific research into meticulously detailed articles, most notably her multi-part historical series posts. Today, Carol continues her local history writing for The Beverly Review and other outlets.
Restoration Campaign
The Ridge Historical Society – Giving Tuesday
Restoration Campaign Part 1: Art Glass windows $3,000 goal
RHS has decided to start with a small but meaningful project to replicate the front door stained glass window and a small leaded glass window lost in the 1962 fire, started by the Family Christmas tree, that devastated the house. We are working with Colorsmith Stained Glass Studio of Riverside to reverse engineer the pattern based on historic photographs. This is the kick off the next phase of our exterior restoration work, the preservation of our 101-year-old windows.
Please consider donating to help us get to our goal of $3,000 to recreate these windows. Your support sustains our community’s history.
As part of our ongoing mission, we work to preserve, restore, and update the Graver-Driscoll House, home to RHS since 1971.
Ongoing work in recent years has included replacement of the slate roof, repair of brickwork, and rebuilding our one-of-a-kind veranda overlooking Longwood Drive. These projects have allowed RHS to host unique community events such as BAPA Porch Concerts, the Beverly Art Walk, and Open House Chicago.
To sustain these types of projects, we are launching our new Restoration Fund dedicated to ongoing restoration, preservation and modernization projects at the Graver-Driscoll House in order to better serve our communities.
The Ridge Historical Society is thankful for our patrons, members, volunteers, and donors. Without you, RHS could not preserve and interpret the history of the South Side communities along the Blue Island Ridge.
All money raised for this campaign will be used for the Window Restorations. Donations to RHS, a tax-exempt entity, are considered gifts to a charitable organization and will be acknowledged as such.
PayPal Donation Link: https://bit.ly/RHS-donation
Thank you to those who made donations!
We received $493.06 towards our goal of $3,000 to recreate the art glass window in the front door and a small leaded glass window.
These windows were lost in the 1962 fire, started by the family Christmas tree, that devastated the house. We are working with Colorsmith Stained Glass Studio of Riverside to reverse engineer the pattern based on historic photographs.
Ongoing work in recent years has included replacement of the slate roof, repair of brickwork, and rebuilding our one-of-a-kind veranda overlooking Longwood Drive.
There is still time to give. All money raised for this campaign will be used for the Window Restorations. Donations to RHS, a tax-exempt entity, are considered gifts to a charitable organization and will be acknowledged as such.
PayPal Donation Link: https://bit.ly/RHS-donation