North River Commission and the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce are partnering with Albany Park Dines (a project of Albany Park neighbors), Chicago for Chicagoans, Brick of Chicago, Nighthawk Chicago, and The Kedzie Inn for Tastes and Tours of Albany Park, a weekend filled with organized tours and activities highlighting the great community of Albany Park over the weekend of May 3-5. Please visit the North River Commission website event listing for complete information.
The Tastes and Tours weekend encourages neighborhood residents and visitors to Albany Park to explore the neighborhood’s rich history through walking tours, food tours, history events, neighborhood trivia, and more, all led by various community partners.
I’ll be involved in two events. The first is the North Side History Roundtable on May 3 at 6:30 pm at the Kedzie Inn, 4100 North Kedzie. The event is free, but registration is required. I’ll be joining moderator and organizer Patti Swanson of Chicago for Chicagoans, Jacob Kaplan of Forgotten Chicago; Joel Bookman, former director of the North River Commission and current board treasurer; Anthony Casimir Alfaro, historian and blogger.
The second event I’m doing is technically outside of Albany Park but included in the weekend events. I’ll be leading a North Park Village walking tour to explore the former grounds of the Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium, on Sunday, Mary 5. The program will include a talk with slides and a 45-minute guided walk. I’m thrilled to announce a special guest, Will Quam, whose Brick of Chicago project is fabulous. Once you’ve seen the former Sanitarium buildings, you’ll appreciate the deep knowledge and insights about brickwork that Will brings to our exploration of this site.
The walking tour of the North Park Village is free, but limited to the first 35 people who register in advance. Registration opens on April 19, so mark your calendars now. Donations will be accepted on behalf of the Friends of North Park Village Nature Center.
I hope to see some of you at one of these events, so we can looking back at our old neighborhood together. If you can’t make it, I’ll post photos so you can enjoy the sights.
Love this post. Grew up in Albany Park. Received my Master of Arts degree in History from the University of Wisconsin.
Hi Renee. One of the posts does mention Steinway. It’s the one where I interviewed Jerry Pritikin. Scroll down and you’ll see he recalls the prices of fountain treats.
Thanks Renee for stopping by. I glad to hear you’re enjoying the stories. I had a lot of fun writing them.
Frances,
I am so enjoying this history. I went to Patrick Henry and in 3rd grade we moved to Springfield and Lawrence and I went to Volta. After that we moved to Devon & Kedzie and I went to Mather. About Lawrence Ave I am wondering if you or anyone remember Steinway Pharmacy on Lawrence and Kedzie? My uncle owned that store before it was the Bonfire. I just love reading everyone’s memories. Thanks for this.
As one who grew up in the Kedzie/Lawrence bubble of Chicago from 1940 to 1952, the nostalgia for Hibbard, and the division of the June 1949 class to von Steuben and Roosevelt, and the scattering of this generation, it was enlightening to come across your activities via Facebook. Timing is everything, of course, but the existence of this site and group has opened my eyes. Thank you. Laurence LEWIN, San Rafael, CA.