Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society

02/26/2026

Tour the Leather Archives & Museum with the RP/WR Historical Society - Free Smells!
It's not too late to sign up for tomorrow evening's curated look at this infamous Rogers Park institution.
Follow this link to learn more:
https://rpwrhs.org/program/tour-the-leather-archives-museum/

02/25/2026

Tour the Leather Archives & Museum with the Historical Society - Ohhhhh, Rocky! You know you're curious🧐
Join us this Friday for a curated look at this infamous Rogers Park institution.
Follow this link to learn more:
https://rpwrhs.org/program/tour-the-leather-archives-museum/

02/13/2026

We're enjoying the cake from Mickii's Desserts https://www.mickiisdesserts.com/ made especially to commemorate Frederick Douglass's description of the time he was united with his mother: "That night I learned the fact, that I was, not only a child, but somebody's child. The 'sweet cake' my mother gave me was in the shape of a heart, with a rich dark ring glazed upon the edge of it. I was victorious, and well off for the moment; prouder on my mother's knee, than a king upon his throne." (1855)

02/13/2026

Our first Transcrbe-athon has begun. Our team of RPWRHS volunteers are joining others at hundreds of sites around the country to transcribe documents from the 19th and 20th century Colored Conventions to make them accessible to historians and researchers around the world.

01/15/2026

Volunteering to help judge the Annual Metro History Day is a great way to support history education and learn a little Chicago history. No experience necessary to take part in a fun new experience.

Calling all history enthusiasts!

Chicago Metro History Day is looking for judges for both the Junior Division (grades 6–8) and the Senior Division (grades 9–12). On March 1 and March 8, we’ll welcome about 1,400 students who have created exhibits, documentaries, websites, papers, and performances on historical topics. In order to make these regional contests successful, we need 350+ volunteer judges to offer warm, thoughtful, and constructive evaluations of their work.

Learn More & Sign Up https://il-chimetro.nhd.org

12/02/2025

It's Giving Tuesday! After all the hustle and bustle of shopping for deals over the weekend, local non-profits hope you still have some $$$ left over. What is your favorite local charity?

11/28/2025

Black Friday kicks off the holiday season for many, as stores offer discounts on all sorts of items. The term Black Friday gained popularity in the 1980s, as businesses advertised sales and finances moved “into the black” (profit) from “the red” (debt) because of holiday spending.

Here’s a glimpse back to a West Ridge store front - The Crawford Department Store in 1990. Located at 2509 W. Devon Avenue, it was known as “your fashion store” and “your friendly store” for its expert services. It closed in 1993.

11/25/2025

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, have you completed your holiday grocery shopping? If not, the stores are sure to be busy. Here is a young boy in 1910 shopping at Schubert Grocery Store....aahhh better times😅😉

09/27/2025

Join us for the 39th House Walk on Sunday October 5th.

This year’s walk features homes that reflect the experimental spirit of the turn of the 20th Century. Featured homes showcase the work of architects and engineers that broke away from previous architectural norms. Armstrong Circle is a living tribute to the architectural creativity of the period.

West of Ridge Boulevard, most homes on Estes, Greenleaf and Lunt Avenues around George Armstrong School were built just before World War I. Each house on the tour represents a new style or building technique of the period.

Click to purchase tickets or learn more about the tour.

The 39th Historic House Walk features a neighborhood where the homes reflect the experimental spirit of the turn of the 20th Century. Each house represents a new style or innovation of the period.

08/16/2025

Any music lovers in Rogers Park or West Ridge?

Join us on Monday, August 25, at 6 PM at the Budlong Woods Branch of the Chicago Public Library. Author Mark Guarino will discuss his book, Country & Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival, which chronicles Chicago's role in the evolution of country music.

Whether you're a country music fan or not, you won't want to miss this look at how Chicago helped spread music that sprang from rural roots in the South and Midwest to the rest of America.

Register or learn more at the link:

Join us for a look at the history of Country Music from a decidedly Chicago point of view, shared by Mark Guarino, former pop music critic for the Daily Herald.

07/19/2025

☕️ Coffee, Community, and Culture in Rogers Park ☕️ No Exit wasn't just a coffeehouse; it was a cultural phenomenon. This Times article covers how the beloved venue became a haven for young people and a launchpad for folk music legends. 🎤 Anyone remember it?