2012-06 RHS Newsletter – SUMMER 2012

Founded in 1887 in what was then considered a "Baptist town," the Morgan Park United Methodist Church recently celebrated its 125th anniversary under the leadership of Rev. Dennis C. Langdon. The article traces the church's history from its earliest meetings in the 1850s and the construction of its first building by early settler Dr. William German, through to its current Prairie-style edifice designed by H.H. Waterman, featuring stained glass by J. Barker. Today, the building not only serves a diverse congregation but also functions as a community hub, hosting organizations like the Council Oak Montessori School and the Maple-Morgan Park Community Food Pantry.

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This article expands on previous coverage of historic sidewalks in Beverly Hills/Morgan Park by highlighting a 'Groveland Court' imprint, which was the pre-annexation name for Drew Street. It features an entertaining oral history excerpt from Owen Price detailing the childhood fun and legal delays surrounding the brick paving of 111th Street in the early 20th century. Prompted by an email from an RHS member, the piece also investigates contractor stamps, specifically focusing on a unique clover-shaped brass plate used by the Simpson Construction Company, an early and innovative cement contractor operating in the Chicago area since the 1890s.

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In honor of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912, the Ridge Historical Society is hosting a special exhibit opening on September 9th. Directed by RHS Board member and longtime local Girl Scout leader Carol Macola, the exhibit will showcase uniforms, books, and badges that trace the history of the organization with a specific focus on the local Morgan Park and West Beverly neighborhoods. The RHS is actively seeking community participation and the loan of archival materials, pictures, and personal stories to enhance the interactive display.

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Edris Hoover, stepping into her second term as President of the Ridge Historical Society, uses this column to express deep gratitude to Doris Moulton, who served as President from 2007 to 2012. Hoover highlights Moulton's dedication to maintaining the Graver-Discoll House and her steady leadership in expanding the society's administrative and committee structures. Looking forward, Hoover shares her own background as a lifelong neighborhood resident and career administrator, expressing her goal to elevate the RHS into a more serious preserver of history and a highly valued educational resource for the community.

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The Ridge Historical Society is actively accepting donations of household items (excluding clothes) and high-quality 'better' books in preparation for their annual Garage and Book Sale fundraiser. The event is scheduled to take place over the weekend of September 29th and 30th. Community members are encouraged to contact the RHS via phone or email to arrange drop-offs and to mark their calendars to attend the sale and support local history preservation.

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On March 15, 2012, David Joens, the Director of the Illinois State Archives, visited the Ridge Historical Society to examine the recently acquired Thomas Morgan Family archive, generously donated by descendant Anne Morgan Moore Colgin. Joens was highly impressed by the collection—which includes hand-drawn maps, journals, and deeds detailing early European settlement—calling it "as good as any museum has." He provided the RHS with strategic advice on cataloging and digitization, and directed them toward an ISHRAB conservation grant, which the Society subsequently applied for and was awarded to help preserve these vital historical documents.

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The Ridge Historical Society extends its thanks to a list of recent donors who have generously supported the Collections Committee. These crucial contributions include vital funds for purchasing necessary archiving supplies, such as boxes and shelving. Additionally, donors have greatly enriched the RHS archives by providing genealogies, pamphlets, photographs, maps, and memorabilia related to local families, businesses, schools, and civic organizations.

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The Ridge Historical Society published a brief note of gratitude directed at Matt Walsh and their colleagues at the Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA). BAPA assisted the RHS by sending out a community-wide email blast and placing an advertisement in "The Villager," which directly resulted in the successful recruitment of several new volunteers eager to assist with historical society projects.

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A dedicated team of RHS archiving and collections volunteers is actively executing several summer projects to organize and preserve the society's holdings. The team successfully photographed, accessioned, and sewed identifying labels into nearly 400 pieces of vintage clothing and hats. Furthermore, they assigned specific search terms and accessioned almost 300 historical photographs, scrapbooks, and diverse objects, significantly improving the accessibility of the collection for future research. The brief lists the specific individuals who volunteered their time for these efforts.

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Featured on the back cover of the newsletter, this calendar section reminds RHS members and the community of key upcoming events for the late summer and early fall. Highlighted dates include the opening of the Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary exhibit on September 9th, and the Annual Garage Sale and "Better" Book Sale taking place on the weekend of September 29th and 30th. Additionally, it notes that Sunday's portion of the garage sale coincides with the Beverly Area Planning Association's History Mystery Bike Tour.

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