Chicago's Oldest House Celebrates Anniversaries of Major Landmarks

On Sat, Sept. 10, the Prairie Avenue Historic District of the city's South Loop will be the site of the 5th Annual Festival on Prairie Avenue. At the Festival, hosted by the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA), visitors will experience an atmosphere of Prairie Avenue in the 19th century with activities spotlighting a unique variety of art, history, architecture, music and family-style play. A special emphasis of this year's festival will pay tribute to the 175th anniversary of the Henry B. Clarke House, Chicago's oldest (1836) and the 125th anniversary of the John G. Glessner House, an internationally-known architectural treasure (1886). "We are thrilled to be able to provide attendees the opportunity to take a Free behind the scenes tour of both the Landmark Glessner and Clarke Houses as part of the Festival," said Tina Feldstein, PDNA President. "Thousands of people pass by these Landmarks every day, but few know the fascinating story behind these historic Chicago structures," Feldstein added. "This event has been a huge draw for families for years, and now the Fest is poised for even greater heights with the addition of a wonderful art and crafts fair," said Jackie Walker, Vice-President of the PDNA.

The Festival will be held on Saturday, from 12 noon - 6:00pm on historic Prairie Avenue at 18th Street and is expected to draw thousands of South Loop residents, as well as, many other Chicago art and history enthusiast. Festivities include: A main stage with all day entertainment, a menagerie of exotic animals, pony rides, inflatables, a War of 1812 encampment, Minute to Win it games, period fashions, magicians, face painters, character artists, pie eating contest, pinatas, sports games, music, historic Prairie Avenue house tours and plenty of tasty food and treats.

Another exciting addition to this year's fest will feature a fine art and crafts fair showcasing a large collection of Chicago artists. "Our artists are eager to share their creative process with festival goers and will offer live art demonstrations," said Gail Dempsey, PDNA Board member. Media include hand-blown and fused glass, calligraphy, painting, weaving, lampworking and metalsmithing jewelry, ceramics, pottery, clothing and textiles, candle making, sculpture, photography, and so much more. "Our organization strongly believes the arts are vital to the fabric of our South Loop community," added Rosemary Garrett, PDNA Board member. 

Event Specifics

2011 Festival on Prairie Avenue Saturday, Sept.10th from 12:00PM to 6:00PM
Festival Location is 1800 S. Prairie Ave and Chicago Women's Park and Gardens
Festival suggested donation: $5 (children under 12 months Free)
Festival sponsors: PDNA and Doran's Landscape with additional support from the Glessner House Museum and other South Loop area businesses.
Festival food sponsors: Café Society and Reggie's cook up a classic picnic barbecue with hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, pizza, wings and mac & cheese.

About the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance
The Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance is a community organization whose mission is to build a sense of community and to promote The Common good and social welfare for the Near South and South Loop area in Chicago. Also, to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood's historic character and educate the public about its history. Further, to address issues of the neighborhood and provide it with an effective and transparent communication link with city municipal and government officials, developers, businesses and other influential groups, and to empower the community to work together in improving the neighborhood with the objective of fostering a collective, respectful and unified voIce That translates into a powerful and influential force for improving and maintaining the community. Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) website

About the Clarke House Museum
Built in 1836 for Henry B. Clarke, the Clarke House Museum is Chicago's oldest house. The house shows what life was like for a middle-class family in Chicago during the city's formative years before the Civil War. Its fascinating history began at a time when family members could see the campfires of Native Americans in the distance. Clarke House Museum website

About the Glessner House Museum
A National Historic Landmark, Glessner House was designed by noted American architect Henry Hobson Richardson, started in 1886 and completed in 1887. It remains an internationally-known architectural treasure in Chicago. A radical departure from traditional Victorian architecture, the structure served as an inspiration to the young Frank Lloyd Wright and helped redefine domestic architecture. Glessner House Museum website

About Prairie Avenue History and Background
Prairie Avenue once served as an Indian trail linking Fort Dearborn to Fort Wayne in Indiana and thus derived its name from the vast Midwestern prairie land between the two endpoints. In 1812, the Fort Dearborn massacre occurred in the area around Prairie Avenue and 18th Street. During the last three decades of the 19th century, Prairie Avenue served as the residence of many of Chicago's elite families and was also known for grand homes, including mansions for George Pullman, Marshall Field, John J. Glessner and Philip Armour, which anchored a neighborhood of over ninety mansions known as "Millionaire's Row". Residents of the street have influenced the evolution of the city and have played prominent national and international roles. They have influenced the political history, the architecture, the culture, the economy, as well as the law and government of Chicago. Over time, the district has evolved from an upscale neighborhood to a factory district and back to an upscale neighborhood. Historic preservation has brought the return of trendy buildings, as well as restored and renovated structures. Simultaneously, new infill housing is resuscitating the district. Now, a two block section of the street forms the core of the Chicago Landmark Prairie Avenue Historic District that is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

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