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On Sale Now
Chicago's Beverly/Morgan
Park Neighborhood

by Joseph Oswald

A fascinating look at one of Chicago's most intriguing areas. This newly-released book is on sale now from RHS and can be purchased here. (A great gift for your favorite history buff!)

Thank you for visiting our website. The Ridge Historical Society is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization and we depend on the generosity of the general public to support our work. We are a resource for students, historians and anyone interested in the area's history. Many of our services are provided free of charge, and through your financial support we can continue to provide these services. Please consider becoming a member or making a direct donation to us by using PayPal.

Thank you for your support.

 

This Chicago and  Northern Illinois History  site is owned by Ridge Historical Society
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The Ridge Historical Society is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1971 to preserve and promote the history of the Chicago neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, Morgan Park and Washington Heights.

The area now has four recognized municipal and national historic districts, including the Ridge Historic District, one of the largest urban districts on the National Register of Historic Places

Become an RHS member
Membership is one way you can support the work of the Ridge Historical Society

Volunteer Opportunities Available at RHS
Become a Society volunteer! A number of openings exist for volunteers



EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED TO RIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Jane Nicoll was recently named Executive Director of the Ridge Historical Society (RHS), 10621 S. Seeley Ave. RHS collects, documents and preserves information and artifacts pertaining to the history of the Ridge communities now known as Beverly Hills/Morgan Park and Washington Heights. RHS President Mary Quinn Olsson said, "RHS welcomes Jane's knowledge, experience and fine reputation in the museum field. Her expertise will be invaluable in implementing the detailed recommendations made by the society's recent Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) reports, a grant funded in 2004 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services." Nicoll, a Certified Archivist, served the Park Forest Public Library for 26 years as a reference librarian and archivist. She created the Local History Collection and Archive for that library, and served as Project Director for the digital imaging project, "Park Forest: An Illinois Planned Community." Nicoll was also co-founder of the Park Forest Historical Society in 1985, and will continue to serve on its board of directors as archivist. In 1998, as part of the 50th Anniversary Committee, Nicoll helped create the 50th Anniversary House Museum in an original rental townhome. That house museum is now under the direction of the Park Forest Historical Society. Nicoll will continue as curator of the 50th Anniversary House Museum for that society. Nicoll said she is proud of the work she has done for Park Forest, and hopes to provide the same high level of service to the Ridge Historical Society and to the members of the community it serves in promoting the use of its rich and varied collections. The opportunity to be employed as an archivist in a museum setting is an exciting new direction for her. She looks forward to working with the Board of Directors, Executive Officers, the members, and the many dedicated volunteers and researchers who work with the Ridge Historical Society. The society is hoping to recruit many more volunteers for a number of projects on the collection and to serve as docents. The RHS museum and research facility in the Graver-Driscoll House, a 1922 Tudor style home designed by John T. Hetherington for Herbert Spencer Graver, and donated to the society in 1972 by James P. Driscoll. The Society takes its name from the ridge upon which it sits -- incorporating the bulk of the neighborhoods of Beverly Hills on the north and Morgan Park on the south - also called locally, "The Village in the City." Most of the area is included in the Ridge Historic District, which was the largest designated urban historic district in the country when listed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 1976. Nicoll began working for the Ridge Historical Society in September. Among other duties, she will research grant funds and coordinate grant writing, and coordinate volunteer and docent programs, public relations, and the Collections portion of the CAP grant report. As a not-for-profit organization, RHS depends on membership dues, grants and gifts to continue its important work or preserving local history. The annual fund drive is in progress, and persons wishing to make donations, renew or sign up for membership, or learn more about the Society and its work, are invited to call or visit. RHS is open to the public from 2 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, or by appointment. The society engages in regular programming on various historical topics in conjunction with rotating exhibits. Nicoll is available by appointment. For more information on the Ridge Historical Society, call 773-881-1675 or ridgehistory@hotmail.com.


Features

Before and After: How Buildings Change Over Time
The majority of "before" pictures are photocopies of postcards that are part of a collection at the Chicago Historical Society. The "after" photographs are part of a long-term project to document the architecture of the community. Take a look and see if your house is in this photo album.

The 111th St. Train Station Rehabilitation
Take a look at the project from start to finish in this photo review.

Architectural Resource Center
Start the process of researching your home's history on our website and learn where to find additional resources.

Street Cars of Beverly Hills/Morgan Park
A short photo essay of the long-gone era of streetcars in our neighborhood.

The Vincennes Trail
The development of what was once an Indian trail into a pioneer "superhighway".

RHS Photo Album
Take a nostalgic tour of our community's history with our photo album. Visit the people and places from our past. To view the photo album requires Macromedia Flash 6 Player. For a free download, please select Download Flash 6 player to view . Follow the instructions on the Macromedia website.

Local Legend Debunked
Was Beverly Hills, California named after Beverly Hills in Chicago?

Ice & Water: Chicago Before Our Time

Geological history of the Ridge area.

Local Indian Lore

Indian prehistory of the area.

Morgan Family Initiatives Launched Community
A look at the influence of a pioneer family.

Illinois and the Glaciers
A brief synopsis of glacial activity in Illinois that is part of the underpinning of the Ridge geography.

Glacial Debris

How glaciers created "moraines".

Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Architecture
A compendium of articles on local architecture by Harold T. Wolff.

©2008 Ridge Historical Society
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©2008 Ridge Historical Society10621 S. Seeley Avenue Chicago , Illinois 60643 773-881-1675 ridgehistory@hotmail.com