The Ridge Historical Society Archival Collection

About the Ridge Communities
The archives of the Ridge Historical Society reflect the social, educational, and architectural history of the communities of Beverly Hills, Morgan Park and Washington Heights. These communities are located along the Blue Island Ridge, a moraine created during the last ice age, and the highest elevation in Chicago. The communities developed as independent towns following the Civil War, and were annexed into Chicago in the latter part of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries. The area still retains a "suburban" quality thanks to the wide range of residential architecture that has survived. The Ridge communities contain three Chicago Landmark districts.

Requesting Information from the Ridge Historical Society

The Ridge Historical Society welcomes inquiries regarding the history of the Ridge communities. As a not-for-profit community-based historical society there are certain limitations to the type and scope of the research we may be able to do on your request.

When submitting a request via email please give as much information in the comments box as you can to the nature of your request and the information you seek. Once the request has been submitted it will be given to one of our volunteer research associates.

The response time on requests varies and we encourage you to be patient. We provide basic research on questions at no charge to the general public. Requests that require more extensive research beyond our archives may be referred back to the inquirer with information on other sources to contact for this information. We may also ask that you make an appointment with one of our research associates who will assist you in obtaining information from our archives. Access to the archives is restricted to qualified research volunteers, and an appointment is required.

The Ridge Historical Society also maintains a library with information on community history, including architecture. The library is available at no charge and is open during our public hours. This library is an excellent source of information for students researching school history projects, and includes basic community history.

The Ridge Historical Society will undertake larger research projects for a fee commensurate with the amount of work required, and may include the costs of transportation and meals if the researcher is required to travel to other archive sources. Please consult our fee schedule.

We also encourage individuals requesting information to consider a small donation for the services rendered. We depend on the generosity of the public to assist us in funding our organization and its activities.

The Collections
The materials in the collections of the Ridge Historical Society consist of books, periodicals, area newspapers, letters and photographs. There are also records of businesses, churches, educational institutions, and other local social and civic organizations. Printed guides are available for some of the historic and architecturally significant buildings in the community. Some of the renowned architects who designed buildings in the area include Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Burley Griffin, Talmadge and Watson, and Dwight Perkins. These guides also cover the works of local architects such as H.H. Waterman, John and Murray Hetherington, and Rudolph Boehm. The area has been home to a number of locally and nationally prominent individuals. The archives contain biographical information for these people, as well as oral histories from many local residents.

Archival Access
Individuals wishing to conduct research with the archives may do so by appointment only. Due to the volunteer nature of the organization, we cannot honor requests from individuals who wish to research during museum hours without an appointment. Direct access to the archives is strictly prohibited, and individuals will be assigned an research associate to assist them in gathering materials required. All materials will remain at Driscoll House, as there is a "no loan" policy due to the rarity of much of the collection. All materials removed from the files for research will be logged out, and must be logged back in upon completion of the research. Individuals involved in long term research projects may make special arrangements for materials to be held aside for easier access when revisiting.

Research Fees
Fees will be charged for various research projects based on the amount of time required by the research associate to gather materials, assist the individual and reproduce any materials. They are as follows:

First hour (minimum 1 hour)
RHS members Free
Students Free
Non-members $20. (Fee waived if membership taken out)

Additional hours
RHS members $5.
Students Free (limited to an additional 2 hours)
Non-members $25.

Photocopy fees
First 4 copies $.25 each

Additional copies $.10 each

Photographic Reproduction
See Photographic Fees list for more information.

Off-site research
RHS offers extended research into house and family histories. This research is done off-site, and the following fees apply:
First hour RHS Members $10.
Students Not offered Non-members $25.
Additional hours RHS Members $25.
Non-members $50.

Fees cover transportation and photocopying if required. RHS reserves the right to limit or restrict access to its archives. Fees may be waived for institutions or projects that reflect the goals and aims of the Society.