Saturday, October 1 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
THE PARK RIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
On Saturday, October 1, 2011, the Historical Society offers its traditional tour of the Town of Maine Cemetery.
Tours depart from the cemetery gatehouse, located just inside the main gate off Touhy Avenue, beginning at 10:00 am with the last group departing around 2:00 pm.
Sunday, August 21st at 2:00 pm
“Illinois New Deal-Era Post Office Murals”
Guest Speaker: Dr. Mary Emma Thompson
Mary Emma Thompson of Westfield, Illinois, is an authority on Post Office murals in the State of Illinois. She will present a slide show and discussion on this important legacy of the Federal government dating to the 1930s.
This timely presentation is an opportunity for residents to learn more about the broad history of Federal government programs to provide work opportunities during the Great Depression years of the 1930s to early 1940s, with emphasis on the U.S. Treasury Department’s commissioning of artwork for Post Office buildings. Murals were commissioned for approximately seventy Illinois Post Office Buildings during this period.
The 6’x 20’ mural ‘Indians Cede the Land’ was on display in the Park Ridge Post Office from 1940-1970, and will be discussed as part of our speaker’s program of images and narrative illustrating the Illinois catalog of Post Office mural art.
The Park Ridge Mural Restoration Committee is working to raise funds to conserve this mural for community viewing once again, at the Park Ridge Library. The Committee is a collaboration of the Historical Society, and three members of the Park Ridge Library Board.
Mary Emma Thompson is an authority on New Deal Treasury Department artwork in Illinois. For almost 20 years, she has studied and researched the murals which still grace the Post Offices or communities to which they were assigned. She has published a number of guides and books intended to illuminate historic themes as depicted through mural art, such as Lincoln’s life in Illinois. Many of these books are available at the Park Ridge Library.
There is no admission charge for this program, although donations to the restoration of the Park Ridge Post Office mural will be welcomed at this presentation.
Pamphlets describing the project can be obtained at the Park Ridge Library, and these also include a donation form. Donations may also be mailed to the Mural Restoration Committee at Post Office Box 1365, Park Ridge, Illinois, 60068.)
Visit our News Page for more information.
Thursday, May 26th at 7:00 pm
"Those Were the Days Radio Players”
Join us before the Memorial Day weekend for a Thursday evening performance by the ‘Those Were the Days Radio Players.”
In recognition of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “Those Were the Days” Radio Players will present an evening of 1940’s radio entertainment, including:
• Norman Corwin’s iconic 1944 wartime documentary focusing on one specific soldier as seen through the eyes of those who knew him.
• A 1942 Jack Benny program entitled “Going After Rommel.” These programs, though broadcast 70 years ago, honor our troops and their sacrifices as if it were today.
The Radio Players Northwest Ensemble has performed continuously for the past 20 years in Park Ridge and many surrounding suburbs. Doing about 25 shows a year for libraries, community groups and retirement homes they have brought laughter, tears and simply a very enjoyable evening of old time radio entertainment to literally thousands of “listeners.”
The show starts at 7:00 pm and takes place at the Summit of Uptown, 10 North Summit Avenue. Please join us. All Members and residents are welcome. There is no admission charge.
Sunday, May 1st at 2:00 pm
Summit of Uptown, 10 North Summit
Guest Speaker: Lee Bey
Lee Bey returns as guest speaker at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 1 at the Summit of Uptown, 10 North Summit.
He is the Executive Director of the Chicago Central Area Committee. His blog ‘Lee Bey’s Chicago – Beyond the Boat Tour’ can be accessed at www.wbez.org and provides an always-interesting perspective on Chicago history, architecture, politics and entertainment.
His presentation on Chicago’s Pullman community in 2007 brought out many Members, residents and visitors. In the current program, Mr. Bey jumps forward in time to examine post-war Modern Architecture in Park Ridge.
Please join us for light refreshments prior to the program, courtesy of the Summit of Uptown staff. Parking is available in several City lots around the Summit.
Sunday, April 10th at 2:00 pm
Park Ridge Nonprofit Center, 720 Garden Street
Preservation Snapshot: The Legacy of Richard Nickel, and The Complete Architecture of Adler and Sullivan"
Guest Speaker: Ward Miller
Ward Miller, Executive Director of the Richard Nickel Committee and Archive, will be the guest speaker for the Society at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 10 at the Park Ridge Nonprofit Center, 720 Garden Street. All residents are invited to attend. The title of his presentation will be ‘Preservation Snapshot: The Legacy of Richard Nickel, and The Complete Architecture of Adler and Sullivan.’
Richard Nickel has received considerable attention as an early proponent of historic preservation. He began a photography project in 1952 while attending the Chicago Institute of Design, as a student of Aaron Siskind. He lived in Park Ridge at this time, on Grove Avenue. The project expanded over time, and Nickel was still working on it when he died in 1972 in a tragic accident at the Chicago Stock Exchange building.
As the conservator of Nickel’s photographic archive, Mr. Miller has worked for years to complete that project begun many years ago, culminating in the publication late last year of ‘The Complete Architecture of Adler and Sullivan,’ by Nickel, Siskind, Vinci and Miller. His talk will address the fascinating story behind the compilation of this long-awaited, comprehensive volume of photographs and essays describing the masterworks of these architects, which would not have been possible without Nickel’s passion for photography and preservation. Signed copies of his book will be available for purchase after the lecture.
Parking is available in the Center parking lot just north of the Center, and on the streets around the building.
Check back soon for more events.
Phone: 847.696.1973 Send us an email
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