The RHS Facebook page is a rich archive of history-related posts by Carol Flynn, RHS Facebook admin and writer until mid-2025. Carol prolifically wrote a wide variety of meticulously researched local history articles for RHS. She continues to write for the Beverly Review and other media sources with articles particularly focused on local Ridge history.
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For the month of September, the Ridge Historical Society (RHS) presents a special encore of the "Harry Hale Waterman: Unique in Every Style" exhibit, now featuring additional photos of the architect. While the exhibit previously displayed only one photo of Harry Hale Waterman in his 30s, RHS now has photos of Harry throughout his life, courtesy of Waterman’s great-granddaughter.
Harry was just 18 years old when Frank Lloyd Wright came to Chicago seeking employment and was hired by Architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee. It was during Wright's first weekend in Chicago that he met Harry Hale Waterman and boarded with the Waterman family. Frank Lloyd Wright spent a brief time at the Silsbee firm, and it is likely through the relationship with Frank Lloyd Wright (or the Waterman family’s connection to Wright’s uncle) that young Harry Hale Waterman was also hired by the Silsbee firm, where he worked for his first five years in architecture.
Some have suggested that this cabinet card photo of Harry Hale Waterman, taken around this time period, has a similar appearance and mysteriousness as photos of H.H. Holmes, the notorious con man and serial killer who preyed on visitors to the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. In the photo, Waterman is wearing an Inverness coat, a popular coat style at the time, complete with a derby hat, walking stick, and gloves for a formal look.
EXHIBIT: “Harry Hale Waterman: Unique in Every Style” is open Tuesdays and Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., or by appointment, through September 28. Admission is free.
Ridge Historical Society, 10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
Tickets are available for the program “WATERMAN: From the White City to the Ridge”, which will take place Friday, September. 19, 2025, at 7PM. Exhibit Curator Tim Blackburn will discuss how influences from the Columbian Exposition can be seen on the Ridge today, including through buildings designed by Harry Hale Waterman. He will share updates from his recent visit with Waterman’s great-granddaughter and the additional Waterman photos from her. Architectural photographer Mati Maldre will also discuss his photos of thirty Waterman buildings, primarily taken in the mid-1980s.
PROGRAM: “WATERMAN: From the White City to the Ridge”
FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, 2025 – 7PM
Members: $10 | Non-members: $20 | Students under 18: $5
Limited Capacity. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/Waterman9
RSVP: ridgehistory@hotmail.com 773.881.1675
NOTICE: This event will be rescheduled for later this fall
Today is the final day to experience "Harry Hale Waterman: Unique in every Style" at the Ridge Historical Society. Come see this fascinating exhibit before it's gone!
Join us today (9/28) from 1-4 PM at 10621 S. Seeley Avenue. Admission is free.
Ann Keating: The World of Juliette Kinzie
Date: October 12, 2025 4pm
Join us for author Ann Durkin Keating discussing her book,
The World of Juliette Kinzie: Chicago before the Fire.
Juliette Kinzie was also a writer and an important figure in documenting the history of early Chicago. Juliette, one of Chicago’s forgotten founders, and other women worked to create an urban and urbane world, often within their own parlors.
When Juliette Kinzie first visited Chicago in 1831, it was anything but a city. An outpost in the shadow of Fort Dearborn, it had no streets, no sidewalks, no schools, no river-spanning bridges. And with two hundred disconnected residents, it lacked any sense of community. In the decades that followed, not only did Juliette witness the city’s transition from Indian country to industrial center, but she was instrumental in its development.
About the Presenter: Ann Durkin Keating holds the C. Frederick Toenniges Professorship at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. She is a history professor and chair of the History Department. She has taught at the college since 1991. She spearheaded publication of the book, ''Encyclopedia of Chicago'', and appears regularly as a public speaker and is often quoted as an expert source about Chicago-area history.
Keating was born in Evanston. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Illinois, and master of arts and doctorate degrees from the University of Chicago. She has written numerous books on the Chicagoland area including “Chicagoland: City and Suburbs in the Railroad Age” and “Chicago Neighborhoods and Suburbs: A Historical Guide”.
Members: $10 | Non-members: $20 | Students under 18: $5
Ridge Historical Society
10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
Limited Capacity. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/AnnKeating
RSVP: ridgehistory@hotmail.com 773.881.1675
Ridge Historical Society will be closed on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, while we install the new exhibit on Jack Simmerling. More details about Open House Chicago and this exciting new exhibit will be shared in a subsequent post this week.
Jack Simmerling: Through His Eyes
An exhibit at Ridge Historical Society in partnership with Glessner House
Step into the world of Jack Simmerling (1935-2013), a beloved Chicago artist, historian, and preservationist whose life's work was dedicated to capturing the soul of the city's architecture. As a teenager, Simmerling documented and painted the vanishing grandeur and ruin of the Victorian-era residences on Prairie Avenue, salvaging what he could from them as they were demolished.
The exhibit “Jack Simmerling: Through His Eyes” at Ridge Historical Society traces his development from those early Prairie Avenue days through to some of the last drawings of his own neighborhood, Beverly Hills – Morgan Park, where he opened The Heritage Gallery in 1959. The exhibit was produced in partnership with Glessner House and includes many Prairie Avenue artworks and artifacts from its Jack Simmerling Collection.
Simmerling believed that "much of what's most beautiful about architecture is in the details." This exhibit reflects that idea, allowing visitors to see the architecture in his own community. His drawings and watercolors of homes, churches, and architectural vignettes of the community help visitors see Beverly Hills – Morgan Park through the artist's eyes.
"Jack Simmerling: Through His Eyes" opens to the public on October 18, 2025, at Ridge Historical Society, 10621 S. Seeley Ave, Chicago, IL. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience Chicago's architectural heritage through the remarkable vision of Jack Simmerling.
Special Opening Hours:
Open House Chicago (October 18-19, 2025): 10 AM – 5 PM
Exhibit Opening Night Event (Thursday, October 23, 2025): 6 PM – 9 PM
Regular Exhibit Hours (through February 2026):
Tuesdays and Sundays: 1 PM – 4 PM
SUNDAY, NOV. 2, 2025 – 4PM
A Special Tasting Fundraising Event
Join us in November at RHS for an enchanting late afternoon in the historic Graver-Driscoll House, where history meets honey in perfect harmony! Following our sold-out 2022 success, we're delighted to welcome back Wild Blossom Meadery and Winery owner Greg Fischer for another unforgettable tasting experience.
With more than 30 years of winemaking experience, Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery is the first winery in Chicago and the first meadery in Illinois. They raise their own bees and collect their own honey.
What to Expect: Discover the ancient art of mead-making as Greg guides you through a curated selection of six locally-produced meads and wines. Learn fascinating insights about bee culture, artisanal honey production, and the time-honored craft behind each bottle. Your tasting will be perfectly paired with an artisan charcuterie board, decadent chocolates, and other carefully selected nibbles.
Special Opportunities:
• Purchase Wild Blossom's signature artisanal honey
• Order your favorite meads and wines
• Support our historical society through this exclusive event
Bonus Experience: Make it a perfect day by arriving early to view our new exhibit “Jack Simmerling: Through His Eyes”, open Sunday 1-4pm before the tasting begins.
Don't miss this unique blend of history, education, and indulgence on our beautiful veranda!
Members: $40 | Non-members: $50
Ridge Historical Society, 10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
Limited Capacity. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/tasting11
RSVP: ridgehistory@hotmail.com 773.881.1675
Don't miss out! This weekend, as part of Open House Chicago, the Ridge Historical Society (RHS) is debuting its new exhibit, “Jack Simmerling: Through His Eyes.”
The exhibit showcases the life of the beloved Chicago artist, historian, and preservationist whose life's work was dedicated to capturing the soul of the city's architecture. As a teenager, Simmerling documented the vanishing grandeur of the Victorian-era residences on Prairie Avenue, salvaging what he could as they were demolished. Produced in partnership with the Glessner House, this exhibit features many of Simmerling's Prairie Avenue artworks and artifacts from their collection. His drawings and watercolors of homes, churches, and architectural vignettes of the community help visitors see Beverly Hills-Morgan Park through the artist's eyes.
Less than a mile away, the Ingersoll-Blackwelder House will also be open to the public. One of the oldest homes in the community, its original portion dates to 1874. The house was close to demolition in 1970 when Jack Simmerling himself bought and restored it, transforming it into his family home and studio.
Open House Chicago is this Saturday & Sunday, October 18-19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Ingersoll-Blackwelder House closes at 4 p.m. on Sunday. See the event website for site-specific hours.
Jack Simmerling-related sites at Open House Chicago:
– Ridge Historical Society, 10621 S. Seeley Ave. (Street parking is along the west side of Seeley Ave.)
– Ingersoll-Blackwelder House, 10910 S. Prospect Ave.
All seven of the Beverly Hills – Morgan Park sites this weekend for Open House Chicago are listed on the event website:
https://www.architecture.org/open-house-chicago/neighborhoods/recKkGQe7iA2KqP4R
Admission is free!
Join us – Exhibit Opening Night:
Thurs., October 23, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Free Event
Join us for the opening night of the Ridge Historical Society’s (RHS) new exhibit on Jack Simmerling (1935-2013), a beloved Chicago artist, historian, and preservationist whose life’s work was dedicated to capturing the soul of the city's architecture. As a teenager, Simmerling documented and painted the vanishing grandeur and ruin of the Victorian-era residences on Prairie Avenue, salvaging what he could from them as they were demolished.
The exhibit “Jack Simmerling: Through His Eyes” at Ridge Historical Society traces his development from those early Prairie Avenue days through to some of the last drawings of his own neighborhood, Beverly Hills – Morgan Park, where he opened The Heritage Gallery in 1959. The exhibit was produced in partnership with Glessner House and includes many Prairie Avenue artworks and artifacts from its Jack Simmerling Collection.
About the Opening Night Event: The opening night event is free and will be in an open house format. Exhibit curators Tim Blackburn (RHS) and William Tyre (Glessner House) will be on hand to discuss the exhibit and answer questions.
Exhibit Hours & Location: Following the opening, the exhibit will be open to the public for free on Tuesdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. through February 2026.
Ridge Historical Society
10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
773.881.1675
Join us – Exhibit Opening Night:
Thurs., October 23, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Free Event
Join us for the opening night of the Ridge Historical Society’s (RHS) new exhibit on Jack Simmerling (1935-2013), a beloved Chicago artist, historian, and preservationist whose life’s work was dedicated to capturing the soul of the city's architecture. As a teenager, Simmerling documented and painted the vanishing grandeur and ruin of the Victorian-era residences on Prairie Avenue, salvaging what he could from them as they were demolished.
The exhibit “Jack Simmerling: Through His Eyes” at Ridge Historical Society traces his development from those early Prairie Avenue days through to some of the last drawings of his own neighborhood, Beverly Hills – Morgan Park, where he opened The Heritage Gallery in 1959. The exhibit was produced in partnership with Glessner House and includes many Prairie Avenue artworks and artifacts from its Jack Simmerling Collection.
About the Opening Night Event: The opening night event is free and will be in an open house format. Exhibit curators Tim Blackburn (RHS) and William Tyre (Glessner House) will be on hand to discuss the exhibit and answer questions.
Exhibit Hours & Location: Following the opening, the exhibit will be open to the public for free on Tuesdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. through February 2026.
Ridge Historical Society
10621 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, IL 60643
773.881.1675