Join me today – and any first Saturday of the month – for a tour of the Clarke House Museum – either Noon or 2 pm. If you’ve not been to the Clarke House yet, I encourage you to experience it. It is Chicago’s oldest surviving residential structure, built in 1836 in the Greek Revival style. Located in the Prairie Avenue Historic District, about two miles south of the Loop, the Clarke House has been beautifully restored and impeccably furnished.
And what history this house holds! It was built when native Americans still made the area home and Chicago was yet to be incorporated. It was half-finished for years while the family made their home in the finished section – and the unfinished section was put to unusual use (take a tour to hear about it!).
And I love sharing the story of how the house was physically moved TWICE in its history; the second move in 1977 was dramatic as the house cleared the El tracks, but stayed suspended in the air on frozen lifts for two weeks.
We begin the tour at the Visitors Center (Prairie Avenue & 18th Street) and then proceed to the lovely Chicago Women’s Park to talk about the exterior of the Clarke House. Then it’s inside for a close-up look at mid-nineteenth century family life and the high-quality interior design of the house.
Tours are $10 for adults and last one hour, alternating with tours of the Glessner House (1 and 3 pm). Visit the Clarke House website for more information and the Glessner site for tour information. Keep in touch via Facebook.
I hope to share the Clarke House with you!
2 Comments
Love the aerial shot of the Clarke House with the park around it!
I do, too, Donna! (And I need to post attribution for this..!!)