Upcoming Events
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Albert Bucheit Day
Thursday, May 24th 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Hodges Park
in
Park Ridge |
One hundred two years ago this day, our residents elected Albert Buchheit the first mayor of the new City of Park Ridge. The Park Ridge Historical Society is pleased to recreate its Buchheit Day event from the City Centennial celebration in 2010.
Albert Buchheit, a dentist, was 33 years old at the time of his election, which took place just one month after residents voted to adopt the City form of local government, leaving behind our days as a village 37 years after incorporating as Park Ridge, Illinois.
Please come to Hodges Park on Thursday, May 24, any time between
2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to help us celebrate this 102nd anniversary of Dr. Buchheit’s election.
Take a ‘View of History’ tour from the perimeter of Hodges Park. The tour ends at the Camp Fire Girls fountain, where visitors will receive a copy of the Heritage Committee Fountain brochure, and souvenirs of our first mayoral election day 102 years ago. Photos and artifacts from Dr. Buchheit’s era will also be on display.
Tours begin in the Park at the corner of Butler Place and Vine Avenue.
Recent Events
Park Ridge Historical Society
“Homecoming” Reception - March 18, 2012
Click here for photos from the event
On a warm and balmy June afternoon in 1971, ten community members signed the founding charter for the Park Ridge Historical Society. Months later, in October, 1971, over 345 individuals came to the Mary Wilson House and signed on in support of the founding of the Society.
To honor and salute their legacy nearly 41 years later, the Park Ridge Historical Society sponsored a Members-Only event on Sunday, March 18 at the Park Ridge Nonprofit Center, formerly the Pantry Restaurant. In addition to current members, 35 of the original members still reside in Park Ridge and were invited to attend as special guests. Of these, the following were able to attend and were honored:
Peter & Betty Malone
(Peter is one of the ten residents who incorporated the Society)
Ralph Bishop
Madeleine Brennan
Raymond Figlewicz
Jeanne Hansen
Amy Hansen
Otto Kohler
William & Marcia Larson
Milton Nelson
Bill & Barbara Scharringhausen
Ann Scheller
Jacqueline Steigerwald
Herb & Barbara Zuegel
On a warm and balmy afternoon remarkably reminiscent of that long-ago June day, the approximately 60 guests enjoyed light refreshments and champagne. Violin music provided by Society member Frances Johnson and two of her students, Zechariah Pappageorge and Michael Kornely, both 5th grade students at Washington Elementary School in Park Ridge, enhanced the enjoyment of the event. On display were various Park Ridge artifacts, including the original ten pages of log sheets signed by the Society’s supporters in October, 1971, and a photographic and journalistic history of the Society’s previous homes. President Paul Adlaf thanked everyone for their continued support and briefly summarized the Society’s recent move to its new home, the Hannah Solomon Cottage on the grounds of The Youth Campus. Guests were given a preview of the Society’s vision for the future Park Ridge History Center.
The Society thanks two of its newest Members for their generous support of the Reception:
Dave and Judy Donovan for underwriting most of the refreshment service, and Dave Chare for his professional photography services.
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2011 Annual Meeting of the Society
Please join us for our
Park Ridge Historical Society Annual Luncheon
giving thanks during November:
National American Indian Heritage Month
Our Speaker
John Low, Ph.D.
Professor Low teaches American Indian related courses
at Northwestern University
His topic will be:
On the Great Turtle’s Back:
American Indians in Northeastern Illinois
Sunday, November 27 at 11:30 am
Park Ridge Country Club
Thank you for your support of the Park Ridge Historical Society.
We look forward to seeing you!
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Saturday, October 1st 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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Society Visits Local Elementary
School Groups
In April, the Society brought a traveling history lesson to Roosevelt School. Kate Maurer’s nine first-grade Cub Scouts received a visit from Elizabeth Ryles, who spoke to the Scouts about our local history and displayed some of the artifacts from our collections.
On May 4, all second grades at Field School, over 100 students, were entertained by a demonstration of the history and science of telephony, household illumination, mechanical toys and early talking machines, as presented by Leo Rizzetto. Jeff Caudill and Paul Adlaf assisted with a separate overview of local history in this City Centennial year.
On May 24, Albert Buchheit Day, all students in the upper grades at St. Andrews School came over to Hodges Park to enjoy a ‘View of History’ tour from the perimeter of the Park. The Society and Heritage Committee facilitated these tours.
In June, teacher Sue Stevens brought her Carpenter School students and their parents to Hodges Park to enjoy the same View of History tour, as conducted by Elizabeth Ryles.
Albert Buchheit Day – Monday, May 24th
Albert Buchheit Day on Monday, May 24, organized by the Park Ridge City Centennial Steering Committee, offers an opportunity to recognize the first Park Ridge mayor and salute our first 100 years as a city. Dr. Buchheit was only 33 at the time of his election May 24, 1910, to guide our small village into a new life as a city. Meet us in Hodges Park at 147 Vine Avenue between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. for an introduction to local history, including a walk past Dr. Buchheit’s residence and office building adjoining the park.
Also visit City Hall to see displays recalling life in the new City of Park Ridge, as provided by City and Library staff.
Wednesday, May 26th at 7:00 pm
at the ‘Park Ridge Inn’ Summit and Touhy Avenues
We Welcome Peter Malone to Park Ridge for a
Historical Society Speaking Program
Topic: “Park Ridge in 1910”
The Park Ridge Inn, built in 1960, was the second hotel built in Park Ridge, and is now known as the Summit of Uptown. Parking is readily available across Summit in the underground garage.
Pete is the grandson of legendary Uptown builder William H. Malone, our second Mayor. Malone was the owner and builder of the Pickwick Building in 1928, and Citizen’s bank the following year.
Marc Dennison, owner of the Summit, has prepared a plaque for presentation to the Society this evening. It includes small coupons of each of the four colored bricks used in construction of the Park Ridge Inn in 1960.
Saturday, September 11th
City Centennial Antiques,
Collectibles and Flea Market
The Society again presents its traditional Market in Hodges Park in September. On Saturday, September 11, come to the Park between 9am and 4pm for a special City Centennial edition of the Society’s 39th Annual Market. Please mark your calendar, and plan to visit all of the vendors who are coming to display at our Market.
"Spirits of Old Park Ridge" Tours
at the Town of Maine Cemetery
Saturday, October 16th, 10 am – 2 pm
Special City Centennial Edition!
Join us at Town of Maine Cemetery for our popular tour program. Our cast of ‘spirits’ of those interred in the Cemetery, including mayors and military, merchants and farmers, teachers and pioneers, will speak to their life and times. Spend a quiet hour in the company of the many Park Ridgians resting here, while adding to your knowledge of the history and stories of the people and events which have made our community a wonderful place.
All five Park Ridge mayors interred here are in our 2010 cast.
Annual Meeting of the Society
Sunday, October 17th
at the Park Ridge Country Club
Our guest speaker this year is Gary T. Johnson, President of the Chicago History Museum. Please join us as he returns to his hometown on this very special occasion. Musical entertainment by Mary Anne Riehl following Gary Johnson’s remarks.
Thank you for visiting www.Pennyville.org
Check back soon for more events.
Phone: 847.696.1973 Send us an email
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© 2012 Park Ridge Historical Society
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