Regarding Park Ridge Historical Society Collections
In October, 2009, the Historical Society closed its headquarters of 25 years at 41 South Prairie Avenue in Park Ridge, and embarked on a ‘History on the Move’ project….a transition to a new home at 721 North Prospect.
Every artifact in the building at 41 South Prairie Avenue was put into storage: every integral piece of furniture, every utensil, appliance, artwork, garment, document and photograph was stored in a responsible, secured manner for later assignment of need, location in the new home of the Society, and for further study and cataloging.
In the beginning years of the Society, from 1971 forward, the focus of our early leadership was the maintenance of a period home, collecting and displaying furniture, appliances, garments and décor intended to evoke the late 1800s to early 1900s Park Ridge, so that all might appreciate the way we lived 100 years ago, and that the style and manner of early life here might inform the civic awareness of later generations. In these times, the Society also began to accumulate some print and photographic materials pertinent to early Park Ridge, again through the thoughtful consideration of Society Members and donors. We respect and honor those individuals willing to leave of themselves materials for future study and for future generations in the secure hands of the Society, and all such items are the property of the Park Ridge Historical Society, Inc.
In more recent times, there has been strong encouragement of contributions of print materials and artifacts bearing the name Park Ridge, as opposed to additional household articles of furniture, garments and appliances. Not surprisingly in this all-volunteer organization, there has not been sufficient time to catalog and organize these materials.
However, all of the Society collections will be thoroughly cataloged and examined as one of the great benefits of the ‘History on the Move’ project. There are hundreds of newspaper clippings and hundreds of newspapers in the Society collections, all of which will be subject to digital scanning, storage and organization through visual as well as text recognition computer software, all to the benefit of our community.
These archives were never open for unsupervised inspection or research, and this policy will remain in effect even when its new home is open. They are the priceless heritage of those who cared about Park Ridge and their beneficial legacy within the Historical Society.
While these items are in storage, and prior to their organization and cataloging and further research, the Society will respond to every request in writing for information which may reside within its collections.
Our photographic collection is being stored electronically, and will be available for review later on a case-by-case basis. There necessarily will be a fee associated with use of the Society’s proprietary photographic database.
The Society realizes that its property is a legitimate legacy for the entire community and will in due course proudly handle requests for additional information, without compromising the Society’s enjoyment of these properties for its own benefit, for future display in its History Center, and for its own legacy in Park Ridge. In this manner, we preserve the monetary, tangible and fruitful benefits of the labor, devotion and intention of early donors: for the benefit of and enrichment of the Society’s mission to preserve the stories of the people, places and events which have made this a wonderful place.
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The Historical Society is planning to move to the Solomon Cottage on the grounds of The Youth Campus at 733 North Prospect Avenue.
What follows is an overview of Society plans, as prepared by the Youth Campus staff for press release, and guided by the Society.
Periodic reports on our historic move will appear on this page.
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Park Ridge Historical Society Coming to The Youth Campus
Local child welfare organization provides historic space for Society’s new home.
The Youth Campus (TYC) and the Park Ridge Historical Society (PRHS) have entered into a lease agreement that provides a new home for PRHS in the historic Solomon Cottage at 733 North Prospect Avenue. The building faces the street and sits south of the entrance driveway to The Youth Campus 11-acre property. The agreement marks a significant partnership of not-for-profits and commits the space as headquarters for the Park Ridge Historical Society.
“As we look to the next 100 years in Park Ridge, our compelling mission to serve needy children from this diamond in the rough facility deserves good neighbors. Park Ridge Historical Society promotes the tremendous philanthropic heritage of the city and respects our place in it. We hope to support this partnership with a strong and vibrant future,” comments TYC chief executive, Dr. James J. Guidi.
PRHS president, Jeff Caudill, says, “I know I speak for all of the members of the Park Ridge Historical Society when I say we are incredibly excited about this collaboration with The Youth Campus. This is a wonderful opportunity to herald the rich history of Park Ridge and preserve a Park Ridge landmark building.”
Guidi and Caudill signed the agreement on April 21, 2009. Unused by The Youth Campus for many years, the Solomon Cottage’s size, location and historic nature offer an excellent space for creating the new, permanent home for Park Ridge Historical Society. PRHS plans to undertake a capital campaign to renovate the building.
“The Society is grateful to The Youth Campus for inviting the Society to make a new home at this historic location in our community. The Society will enter its 39th year of preserving and honoring the history of Park Ridge in a building listed in the National Register of Historic Places, with the unique opportunity to shape this new home as a model for the collection, display and dissemination of local history,” said Paul Adlaf, PRHS Trustee.
Over 100 years ago, Julius Rosenwald, of Sears Roebuck fame, funded construction of this building, stipulating that it be named for Hannah Greenebaum Solomon, the visionary leader of what was long known as the Park Ridge School for Girls. It was the first of several buildings begun on the site in 1908 to create the environment recommended by fellow board member, Jane Addams, of small cottages with housemothers to care for needy girls. The eminent architectural firm, Holabird & Roche, designed most of the original buildings. Park Ridge resident, Ed McCabe, led the way in 1999 to achieve designation of this building in the National Register of Historic Places.
Renovation will be guided by community members and Park Ridge Historical Society advisors, David D. Hiller and Shlomo Crandus. A Park Ridge native and graduate of Maine East High School, Hiller is the new president and chief executive of Chicago-based McCormick Foundation. Crandus is currently president of the Park Ridge Library Board of Trustees and Vice President of Finance for Wheels, Inc. PRHS architect is Walker Johnson, formerly of Holabird & Root.
Hiller, says, “As somebody born and raised in Park Ridge, it is exciting and highly meaningful to me to be part of creating this new destination for bringing the history of our city alive for the new generations of our families and kids.”
The Youth Campus continues its mission to offer hope for successful lives to abused and neglected children. TYC awakens lost hope for 34 teen girls in Park Ridge Residential Treatment, nurtures new and lasting relationships for 130 boys and girls in Chicago area Foster Care families and offers support and relief to 30 Caregivers of Cook County’s medically-challenged children. The Youth Campus serves children who deserve a new start, a new home and people who believe in them.
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© 2011 Park Ridge Historical Society
