Member Programs Archive
06/27/2022 • OLMSTED 200 with National Association of Olmsted Parks
The Chicago Parks Foundation was pleased to welcome the National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) for a virtual lecture on the history of Fredrick Law Olmsted, his connection and contributions to countless parks across the nation, and specifically his impact on the Chicago's parks.
NAOP's President and CEO, Dede Petri, explored Olmsted's critical history, zooming in on several iconic Chicago locations like Jackson Park, Washington Park and Sherman Park which have been directly impacted by Olmsted's legacy. 2022 is a special year as park lovers celebrate Olmsted's 200th birthday!
11/18/20 • DESIGNED TO DAZZLE & DELIGHT: CHICAGO’S 1893 WOLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION IN JACKSON PARK with Julia Bachrach
Renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted was unimpressed when he first laid eyes on what would become Chicago’s South Park. But despite his initial trepidation, he produced a magnificent original plan for the 1055-acre green space. This presentation explores the ways in which natural features, Olmsted’s philosophies about society, the World’s Fair, recreational needs and expectations, and collaborations with architect Daniel H. Burnham helped him shape Jackson Park during its various phases.
Julia S. Bachrach is the author of The City in a Garden: A History of Chicago’s Parks. She served as historian and preservationist for the Chicago Park District for 28 years and currently teaches classes, leads tours, and produces reports and landmark nominations. She has appeared on local and national television and radio programs including 10 Parks that Changed American. Julia blogs monthly on various Chicago history topics on her website.
11/12/2020 • A MONUMENTAL HISTORY: ART IN CHICAGO’S PARK with Julia Bachrach
Since the late 19th Century, Chicago’s parks have included some of the nation’s most important works of outdoor public art. This program explores a wide array of public pieces created by nationally and even internationally renowned artists, including controversial monuments and recent efforts to honor women, people of color, and important historical themes that have previously been overlooked.
Julia S. Bachrach is the author of The City in a Garden: A History of Chicago’s Parks. She served as historian and preservationist for the Chicago Park District for 28 years and currently teaches classes, leads tours, and produces reports and landmark nominations. She has appeared on local and national television and radio programs including 10 Parks that Changed American. Julia blogs monthly on various Chicago history topics on her website.
10/29/2020 • CHICAGO HAUNTINGS: LINCOLN, GRANT & JACKSON PARK with ghost hunter Ursula Bielski
Chicago's lush parks hide some of the city's eeriest legends! From the the ghosts of the World's Fair in Jackson Park to the haunting history of Lincoln Park, ghost hunter Ursula Bielski will share some of her favorite spooky tales from our most popular - and paranormal - parks.
Ursula Bielski is the founder of Chicago Hauntings, Inc. An historian, author, and parapsychology enthusiast, she has been writing and lecturing about Chicago’s supernatural folklore and the paranormal for nearly twenty years and is recognized as a leading authority on Chicago and Midwest ghostlore and cemetery history. She is the author of nine popular and critically-acclaimed books on history and the paranormal, such as Graveyards of Chicago: The People, History, Art, and Lore of Cook County Cemeteries and Chicago Haunts: Ghostlore of the Windy City.
VIEW ZOOM RECORDING
no password required
06/10/2020 • HISTORY OF THE PARKS with Julia Bachrach
We explore an overview of the history of Chicago parks from the mid-19th through the 20th century, including the involvement of citizens and the impact of renowned landscape architects and artists.
06/17/2020 • KNOW YOUR SOUTH SIDE PARKS with Julia Bachrach
We take a deeper dive into the history of South Side parks including the work of Frederick Law Olmsted, the Olmsted Brothers, and Daniel H. Burnham. This session will highlight Jackson Park, Washington Park, and the Midway Plaisance, as well as innovative neighborhood parks such as Sherman, Palmer, Davis Square, and Armour Square.
06/24/2020 • KNOW YOUR WEST SIDE PARKS with Julia Bachrach
We learn more about the fascinating parks on the city’s West Side including Humboldt, Garfield, Douglas, and Columbus Parks. This session will examine the life and work of Danish immigrant Jens Jensen, who use the Chicago parks as a living laboratory for his Prairie style designs and philosophies.
07/01/2020 • DEPRESSION ERA PARKS with Julia Bachrach
The Great Depression spurred the consolidation of the city’s 22 independent park commissions into the Chicago Park District. This session explores how federal relief programs such as the Works Progress Administration shaped the Park District between the mid-1930s and early 1940s.
*This zoom recording had a small technical glitch and did not begin recording until several minutes into the session. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Questions about your Chicago Parks Foundation Membership? Contact us anytime at info@chicagoparksfoundation.org or (773) 505-8754.