2011-06 RHS Newsletter – SUMMER 2011

This historical feature explores the legacy of the prominent French family in Chicago, particularly focusing on William Merchant Richardson French. Originally an engineer and landscape gardener, French transitioned into the art world to become the founding director of the Art Institute of Chicago, a role he held for thirty-five years. During his pivotal tenure, he oversaw the construction of the museum's current Michigan Avenue building and guided the institution through the controversial 1913 Armory Show, significantly shaping Chicago's modern art collection and cultural landscape.

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Serving as a visual companion to the lead story, this piece details the personal lives and architectural legacy of the French family through historical photographs. It highlights the Colonial Revival house built by William French and his second wife, Alice Helm, on Pleasant Avenue, alongside details of his community involvement in Morgan Park. Furthermore, it pays tribute to William's brother, the famous sculptor Daniel Chester French, featuring images and historical context of his iconic works, including the Statue of the Republic and the Lincoln Memorial, while documenting the family's final resting places.

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Following a winter newsletter piece on Mickelberry's Restaurant, the Ridge Historical Society received a wealth of nostalgic feedback from the community. Readers like Jim Joyce and Betty Hess shared fond memories and photographs of the establishment and its staff, sparking discussions about other bygone local restaurants such as the Surrey, Snyders, Timberlane, and Pal Joeys. The article enthusiastically encourages further community submissions of stories and pictures related to past local businesses to keep neighborhood history alive.

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In a proactive approach to historic preservation, the Ridge Historical Society hosted a "House Doctors" program where roofing specialists examined the nearly 90-year-old Graver-Driscoll House. Experts from Mortenson Roofing Co. and Restorations by Marion thoroughly analyzed the condition of the building's slate roof, copper valleys, flashings, parapet walls, and chimneys. They highlighted critical maintenance issues such as deteriorating mortar, cracked roofing cement, and the destructive force of "oxide jacking" caused by rusting steel lintels, offering valuable, actionable insights for both the society and local owners of older, historic homes.

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The Ridge Historical Society is experiencing a wave of "clean up fever" this spring, as detailed by President Doris Moulton. Inside the headquarters, the dining room is being extensively redecorated after 26 years, and the archives room is undergoing a digital transformation with a new laptop and software to modernize record-keeping. Simultaneously, dedicated volunteers are supervising outdoor improvements, including the flying of new American flags and the upcoming installation of custom-engraved pavers on the terrace, inviting further community participation and support.

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This section serves as a formal and public acknowledgment of the vital financial support received by the Ridge Historical Society throughout the previous year. It features a detailed alphabetical listing of all the generous donors who contributed to the 2010 Annual Fund. By publicly thanking these community members, the society recognizes their crucial, ongoing role in sustaining its daily operations, historical preservation efforts, and educational programming.

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Serving as the newsletter's back-page mailer, this section prominently announces the Ridge Historical Society's upcoming schedule of summer and fall events. It highlights the Friday, July 8, Carl Spencer Memorial Bike Race Party, which will feature a hot buffet supper and a viewing of the Cycling Classic. Additionally, the society promotes a forthcoming, highly anticipated exhibit titled "Down The Aisle, 1860 to 1960," which will showcase a century of vintage wedding gowns, ephemera, and related memorabilia generously loaned by local families.

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