Bensenville Area Historical Association- BAHA

04/06/2026

This is my open letter to the Art Institute of Chicago on the official stance from BAHA. Its up to everyone to form together to help save all history from meeting the wrecking ball.

The Board of Trustees and Leadership
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603
RE: URGENT OBJECTION to the Destruction of Louis Sullivan’s Chicago Stock Exchange Elements
To the Board of Trustees and Leadership,
I am writing to express my profound outrage and absolute opposition to any plans involving the further destruction, neglect, or dismantling of the surviving elements of Louis Sullivan’s 1894 Chicago Stock Exchange.
As a world-renowned institution that claims to be a steward of art and human history, the Art Institute has a moral and civic obligation to protect the architectural soul of this city. Louis Sullivan did not just build offices; he pioneered a uniquely American language of architecture. The Stock Exchange Trading Room, currently housed within your walls, is not merely an "exhibit"—it is a sacred remnant of a masterpiece that was already tragically mutilated by the wrecking ball in 1972.
To allow further degradation or the disposal of Sullivan’s intricate terracotta, stencil work, or structural ornamentation is an act of institutional vandalism. It is a betrayal of the public trust and a slap in the face to the preservationists who fought to save these fragments from the landfill decades ago.
History will not look kindly on an arts organization that prioritizes modernization or administrative convenience over the physical preservation of its own city's heritage. You do not own these artifacts; you hold them in trust for the people of Chicago and the world.
I demand that the Art Institute publicly reaffirm its commitment to the permanent preservation of all Sullivan-designed elements in its possession and provide a transparent plan for their continued protection. The architectural world is watching, and we will not stay silent while Chicago’s history is erased.

Sincerely,
Zachary Squires- President of the Bensenville Area Historical Association
154 W Park Ave
#1167
Elmhurst, IL 60126

03/05/2026

Support our efforts to conserve the storied past of America's premier city.

STOP the Demolition of the Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room!

03/05/2026

The nonprofit organization advocates for the preservation of local architecture.

03/04/2026

01/27/2026

Huge victory in Chicago for historic preservation

In September 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court rejected a fourth appeal in Hanna and Mrowka v. City of Chicago, likely ending nearly 20 years of litigation over the constitutionality of the Chicago Landmarks Ordinance. While the appellant could seek an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, it is unlikely...

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from the Bensenville area historical association! This will be our first full year out of many working to save the historic Bensenville landmarks

12/10/2025

We are excited to announce that the BAHA merch store is now open for business at

To help bring attention to the work we are doing to protect the history of the Bensenville Area. The Bensenville Area Historical Association is determined to save the past for the future.

12/01/2025

During this year’s day of giving, please also consider the local nonprofits working in your community to help save and restore the history of the community for the next generation to learn from and enjoy.

Bahaonline.org

11/22/2025

Help us save the demolition of Historical downtown Elmhurst by signing the petition and showing your support and letting the city know that we don’t want more development downtown that will ruin the character and charm of the town. Not only will it be lost history but it will also bring more congestion and pollution to the area with more traffic which will make it less safe for pedestrians as well

Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?

11/15/2025

Exciting news, we are now accepting donations for our campaign to save the historic buildings of the Bensenville Area.

Please fill free to donate at our website Bahaonline.org.

Thanks for the support

To help bring attention to the work we are doing to protect the history of the Bensenville Area. The Bensenville Area Historical Association is determined to save the past for the future.