Chicago
Illinois
Edgewater Historical Society
The Edgewater Historical Society was founded in January of 1988 to involve the Edgewater community in the preservation of its history. The impetus to form the Society was the 1986 celebration of the Edgewater Centennial, during which the Edgewater Community Council conducted an oral history project. From that project grew a great interest in researching and documenting neighborhood streets and structures.
The Edgewater Historical Society operates the Museum pictured above and conducts Home Tours and Walking Tours throughout the year.
Edgewater is a Chicago community of 62,000 people in an area bounded by the Lake, Foster, Ravenswood and Devon. The name Edgewater originated with developer John L. Cochran, who began creating a small town here in 1880. By 1910, the name Edgewater was being used through the area. Today, Edgewater is composed of several neighborhoods including Andersonville.
The Edgewater Historical Society logo below represents the four-mile electric railway which Cochran built in 1892 to connect his Edgewater community to Diversey Avenue in Chicago. It also illustrates the style of the word Edgewater which Cochran used in his newspaper ads for the new community.
Upcoming Events at Edgewater Historical Society
Recent News
Edgewater Historical Society Photography Contest
2023 PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST Edgewater Historical Society invites the Edgewater community to share your photography showcasing Edgewater’s glorious trees, their heritage, and canopies. It’s the best time to capture Edgewater’s trees,…
Read More »2023 Edgewater Home Tour Preview
Have you ever said to yourself, “Gee, I wish I could get a guided tour through some of the antique homes in Edgewater”? The Edgewater Historical Society has been offering at least one Home Tour every year since 1989. (Except the years…
Read More »Edgewater Historical Society : Walk Tour - July 31, 2023
The walking tours are back, and now is the time to sign up by going to www.EdgewaterHistory.org. We are allowing up to 20 participants on each tour. Masks are recommended, but optional. Here is the schedule of walking tours of the Edgewater…
Read More »Edgewater Historical Society : Walk Tour - June 29, 2023
The walking tours are back, and now is the time to sign up by going to www.EdgewaterHistory.org. We are allowing up to 20 participants on each tour. Masks are recommended, but optional. Here is the schedule of walking tours of the Edgewater…
Read More »Edgewater Historical Society : Walk Tour
The walking tours are back, and now is the time to sign up by going to www.EdgewaterHistory.org. We are allowing up to 20 participants on each tour. Masks are recommended, but optional. Here is the schedule of walking tours of the Edgewater…
Read More »Edgewater Historical Society Happenings for April 2023
Wednesday, April 12 10:30 a.m. at Berger Park 6205 N. Sheridan Road Chicago’s Unpredictable Lake Levels EHS President John Holden will be lead a discussion with long-time Edgewater community residents Thom Greene and Paul Boyd about how the…
Read More »Edgewater Historical Society - Photos Wanted
Photos Wanted Photos are needed of the production of the Bricolage murals under Lake Shore Drive at Bryn Mawr and Foster Avenues. Any detailed photos of mural elements and photos of people working on the murals are sought. Any community residents…
Read More »Special Poster Winner Of The Photo Contest For 2022
The Doors of Edgewater by Steve Majsak Available Sat. Dec. 10, 2022 at the History Book Club at the Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library. available now at Edgewater Historical Society events and at the museum 5358 N. Ashland on weekends…
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