2000-02 RHS Newsletter – FEBRUARY – MARCH 2000

To ensure a stronger future for the Ridge Historical Society, board member Cindy Fielding is spearheading a comprehensive reorganization and needs assessment. After interviewing 16 board members and consulting with past and current directors, Fielding is guiding committees through a "get busy" phase to develop job descriptions, assess finances, and define future exhibit policies. Expected upcoming outcomes of this project include a firmed-up calendar of events, an annual report, and a central information station to streamline operations and boost member involvement.

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President Pat McGrail rings in the year 2000 by expressing gratitude to the volunteers who made the holiday season special at the Ridge Historical Society. Nancy Peecher is recognized for organizing the Caroling Christmas tree exhibit, which featured fourteen themed trees decorated by various civic, art, and charitable organizations, while Doris Moulton is thanked for coordinating fresh painting and decorating prior to the event. The message concludes by acknowledging the board members who rolled up their sleeves to give the Driscoll House a thorough cleaning after the festivities.

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The Ridge Historical Society is undertaking a massive project to catalog all of its archival papers, museum objects, and costumes, comparing the task to inventorying an entire household. Members are encouraged to volunteer their time and join the Archival Committee on Mondays, the Costume Committee on Tuesdays, or the Museum Committee on Thursdays. Interested individuals are invited to stop by the headquarters or call the RHS for more information on how to participate and assist.

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The Ridge Historical Society's Annual Meeting and Dinner on February 11 will feature a presentation by the new Executive Director, Paul Petraitis, titled "Documenting the Past." Focusing on the basic human urge to record and preserve history, the slide program will highlight happenings from the end of the nineteenth century through the beginning of the twentieth century, utilizing archives from Gary Sauermann, Dr. German, and Petraitis's own collection. Attendees must make reservations for the $20 event, which includes hors d'oeuvres and dinner.

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Michele O'Connor and Susan Brenner of Troop 931 have taken on leadership roles at the Ridge Historical Society to curate an exhibit detailing the history of the Girl Scout movement, specifically within the Beverly/Morgan Park Service Unit. Working toward their Girl Scout Gold Awards, which require at least 50 hours of community service, the scouts are gathering historic materials from the Girl Scouts of Chicago and past exhibits. Additionally, they are assisting Linda Lamberty in indexing new RHS exhibit materials and will act as guides when local troops visit the finished display.

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At the February 6 general membership meeting, the Ridge Historical Society will present a program based on first-hand historical documents detailing life in the Morgan Park area around the year 1900. Author Kate Eaton notes that the presentation will draw from source materials including the 1895 recollections of Louise Barwick, the writings of John P. Mansfield and Thomas Scott Miller, and the 1908 childhood memories of the Price siblings (Lillis, Allen, Owen, and John). These rich, anecdotal excerpts promise an engaging look at the community's past, recalling everything from eccentric local professors to formal breakfast etiquette with a neighborhood crush.

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Beginning March 8, the Ridge Historical Society will offer a weekly personal experience storywriting seminar centered on memories from World War II. The structured program aims to help veterans, war brides, homefront workers, and youngsters from that era effectively record their unique impressions and experiences. Younger generations are also invited to write down the tales they have heard from their elders, tying into an upcoming May/June exhibit that will highlight World War II's impact on families living on the Ridge.

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The Calendar of Events lists upcoming activities for the Ridge Historical Society in February and March 2000. Key dates include the Centennial Exhibit opening and General Meeting on February 6, Board Meetings on February 7 and March 6, and the Annual Holiday Dinner & Program on February 11. The calendar concludes with the start of the Family Stories Program on March 8, which focuses on collecting World War II narratives.

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Executive Director Paul Petraitis announces a technological upgrade for the Ridge Historical Society: the activation of a new Ameritech Voice Mail system. Designed to improve communication regarding local history, genealogy, and upcoming events, the system offers distinct options for callers when no one is available to answer the phone or the line is busy. Callers can now press specific numbers to leave messages for board members, inquire about the events calendar, or direct architectural and historical questions straight to the RHS research team, acting almost like a digital secretary.

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In conjunction with the ongoing restructuring of the Ridge Historical Society, a call is being put out for members to join various archiving committees. By reviewing and organizing costumes, artifacts, documents, and memorabilia, volunteers can play a crucial role in preserving the essence of the RHS collections. The article stresses that this hands-on participation is the absolute best way to see the collections up close and truly understand the inner workings of the organization inside out, directing interested parties to contact Kate Eaton to get involved.

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The Hopkinson/Platt House on Drew Street is highlighted as one of the best-known historic homes on the Ridge, standing on foundations that partially date back to an 1840 farmhouse. Built in its current form in 1871 by the Blue Island Land and Building Co. for William Hopkinson and his wife, the home became a vibrant community hub renowned for its hospitality and third-floor amateur plays. The property, featuring grounds originally designed by Jens Jensen and a massive "Council Oak" tree, passed through several notable families including the Zeis, Lees, and Dr. Robert and Harriet Platt, the latter of whom notably boarded over a hundred foreign students and refugees during her widowhood.

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