Forgotten Chicago kicks off its 11th season of exclusive events with several all-new and free presentations throughout the Chicago area!
ABC News
Join Forgotten Chicago on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Canaryville Branch of the Chicago Public Library at 642 West 43rd Street for an exclusive presentation on presidential and first lady sites in Chicago.
Without question, no other city in the United States has had a bigger influence on presidential and first lady history than Chicago. From the first Republican National Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln on Lake Street to the South Shore community that influenced former First Lady Michelle Obama, Chicago has had enormous influence in shaping presidents and their spouses.
Neil Arsenty, ChicagoNow, 2013
Many little-known sites related to Betty Ford (born in Chicago in 1918), Nancy Reagan (Gold Coast resident from 1929 to 1946), Hillary Rodham Clinton and Michelle and Barack Obama remain today. Other sites, including the last two Chicago buildings with direct ties to the Lincoln family (torn down with little protest in 1956 and 1959), Ronald Reagan’s only Chicago home (torn down in 2013), as well as the studio that hosted the first televised presidential debate (1960, demolished in 2009) have vanished.
Chicago Public Library Canaryville Branch: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. Please call the library directly to RSVP at 312-747-0644.
Harold Washington Library Center Special Collections, Chicago Loop Alliance Collection, Box 1, Folder 10, Image 5
Forgotten Chicago was honored to present for the first time at the Harold Washington Library Center (400 South State Street) on Thursday, May 3, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in an all-new presentation for 115 guests. Covering the South Loop in general and the area around the Harold Washington Library Center and South State Street in particular, we discussed the drastic changes this area has experienced since the nineteenth century.
Realty & Building, 1953
Architectural Record, 1978
Historically home to train stations, vast rail yards, warehouses, printing plants and other manufacturing, the area nearby and south of the Harold Washington Library Center contrasts dramatically with neighborhoods north of the Loop. Skipping the well-known Levee District, this discussion focused on the history and development of this area, as well as the curious relics and remnants of this fascinating area’s history and built environment.
Jacob Kaplan
On Monday, April 16th at 6:00 p.m. 45 visitors to the Archer Heights Branch of the Chicago Public Library at 5055 South Archer enjoyed Jacob Kaplan give an all-new presentation on the overlooked history of the Southwest Side and suburbs, including Archer Heights and surrounding communities. Industrial history, residential developments and other interesting facets of the area were all discussed. The presentation also included ethnic history, overlooked neighborhood architecture, retail relics, and other oddities and remnants. Many historic and current photos and maps were featured, including the Chicago Steel Service Company building, as seen above.
Chicago Tribune, 1929
No fewer than 95 guests joined Forgotten Chicago on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. for our first-time presentation at the Westchester Public Library, 10700 Canterbury Street. Using historic photos and maps, this presentation explored everything from industrial and ethnic history to overlooked neighborhood architecture to retail relics and other oddities, including Westchester’s outsized role in the 1920s housing bubble. Additionally, this presentation offered tips and advice on researching your own home and neighborhood.
Jacob Kaplan
Forty guests joined Forgotten Chicago on Thursday, April 5, 2018 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a presentation focusing on Chicago’s musical instrument manufacturing history. While Chicago’s music heritage is relatively well known, it’s history of making the instruments that were used in many famous performances is less so. Everything from the Hammond B3 organ, to Ludwig drums, to Kimball pianos were made in the city and nearby suburbs.
Held at the Albany Park Branch Library, 3401 West Foster, this presentation looked at this fascinating history, why the industry located in Chicago and some of the physical remnants of this manufacturing heritage. The presentation was illustrated with many historic photographs.
Realty & Building, 1959
A group of 65 locals and guests joined Forgotten Chicago on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for an all-new presentation at the Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 South Troy in Evergreen Park. This presentation looked at the interesting facets of the area, including ethnic history, overlooked neighborhood architecture, retail relics, and other oddities and remnants. Many historic and current photos and maps were featured. Evergreen Plaza, opened in 1952 and mostly demolished in recent years, was also discussed.
- CPL Webinar on Thursday, October 7, 2021 – The Competition for the Harold Washington Library Center: 30th Anniversary Commemoration!
- Docomomo Webinar on Wednesday, January 13, 2021: The 1988 Competition for Chicago’s New Central Library
- Chaddick Institute Webinar on Thursday, January 28, 2021: Revitalizing Chicago’s South Loop
- That Not-So-Great Street: State Street in Transition
- Westchester Library Webinar on Thursday, November 12, 2020: Presidential and First Lady Sites in Chicagoland
