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.
Local Architecture
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!
Ingersoll-Blackwelder House Coloring Contest – Entries due November 15th!
There is a coloring contest underway for all ages to help provide ideas to the painting team for the historic Ingersoll-Blackwelder House located at 10910 S. Prospect Ave. RHS’s current exhibit is about the artist and preservationist Jack Simmerling, who purchased and restored the house in 1970 to make it the Simmerling family’s long-time home.
We’ve created a helpful unofficial page so anyone can easily create their own color combinations using a Victorian-era color palette. Try it out here: https://ingersoll-blackwelder-house-color-contest-449832780115.us-west1.run.app/
Once you create your favorite color scheme, take a screenshot and email in your contest entry by following the instructions here: http://www.ingersoll-blackwelderhouse.com/uploads/5/1/8/2/51820075/coloringcontest_v2.pdf
This contest is not sponsored by RHS.