Fifteen years after its initial publication, Edgar Miller and the Handmade Home, by Richard Cahan and Michael Williams, with photographs by Alexander Vertikoff, remains the only book completely dedicated to one of Chicago's most intriguing and prolific artists. With an updated and revised third edition recently published through generous support from the Driehaus Foundation, this talk will highlight what new discoveries have been made about Miller's life and career in the past decade and a half, and speak to the future of Miller's extant artwork and architectural sites in Chicago, and beyond. 

Zac Bleicher is Executive Director of Edgar Miller Legacy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation dedicated to preserving and educating upon the life and work of Chicago Renaissance man Edgar Miller. Bleicher is the leading expert on the artist's work and life, and is also the editor of the new, third edition of Edgar Miller and the Handmade Home. 

This walking tour down South Michigan Avenue explores what is considered the largest intact early “automobile row” in the U.S.  At its peak in the early 20th century, more than 100 different makes of automobiles were being sold on Motor Row. 

Today, the revitalized stretch of street showcases more than sixty of the original showrooms in what is now considered the landmark Motor Row District, with stunning examples of elaborately molded terra cotta, ornate facades, and intricately scrolled ironwork designed by notable architects such as Holabird & Roche, Alfred Alschuler, Christian Eckstorm, Philip Maher, and Albert Kahn.

This very special tour provides attendees with the rare opportunity to visit the interiors of several landmarked homes in the Prairie Avenue Historic District. See beautifully carved wood moldings, leaded glass windows, fireplaces in elaborate tile, mosaic, and marble, and much more!

Sites tentatively included on the 2025 tour:
-Marshall Field Jr. house, 1919 S. Prairie Avenue (Solon S. Beman, architect; 1883;
remodeling by Daniel H. Burnham & Co., 1902)
-Charles Purdy house, 213 E. Cullerton Street, (Thomas & Rapp, architects; 1891)
-William Reid house, 2013 S. Prairie Avenue (Beers, Clay & Dutton, architects; 1894)
-Harriet Rees house, 2017 S. Prairie Avenue (Cobb & Frost, architects, 1888)
-Second Presbyterian Church, 1936 S. Michigan Avenue (James Renwick Jr., architect, 1874; remodeling by Howard Van Doren Shaw, 1901)
-The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, originally Engine Company 104, 1401 S. Michigan Avenue (Charles F. Hermann, 1905)
-Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, 2120 S. Michigan Avenue (historic studio of Chess Records)

An abbreviated tour of Glessner House including the main first floors rooms is also included.

Tour guides will also be stationed at various locations in the neighborhood to discuss and show photos of prominent lost houses including those of Marshall Field, George Pullman, Philip Armour, and others.

Uncover the groundbreaking design of Glessner House on our exclusive tours! Step back in time to 1887 and witness a piece of architectural history that sparked controversy and paved the way for modern residential design. As you explore this magnificent building from basement to attic, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the work of H. H. Richardson and the lasting impact he had on architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a rare opportunity to delve into the history and intricacies of this masterpiece, with access to areas not seen on public tours and a chance to view Richardson's original sketch. Don't miss this unforgettable two-hour journey into the heart of architectural innovation!

Did you know that every year about 300 kinds of birds can be seen in Chicago? Many of these are easy to observe if you know where, when, and how to look for them. Join us for a presentation that describes the bird life that can be experienced in our area and that discusses the basics of bird watching, or “birding.” The presentation will introduce you to the variety of birds that reside in, or visit, our region, some of the best places to go to see birds, and what you need to get started on your birding journey. After the presentation, we’ll step outside to see what migrants are visiting the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens next door.

Pack your picnic basket, grab your blanket and chairs, and chill your favorite beverages and head over for a special Courtyard Concert at Glessner House, part of our 2025 jazz series.

Our final jazz concert of the season will feature Elaine Dame, joined by celebrated guitarist Kyle Asche. Since 1996, the woman Time Out Chicago calls “a jazz dynamo" and "a gem in the city's vocal jazz scene" has been turning heads and capturing attention at venerable jazz venues from coast to coast, bringing her unique, superlative interpretations to vintage vocal classics and modern standards alike.

Step into a world where 60 percent of a family’s home was dedicated to areas for paid servants to live and work. Immerse yourself in the captivating story of this 17,400 square foot mansion, designed by the celebrated architect Henry Hobson Richardson in 1885. Commissioned to house the Glessner family and their live-in staff of eight, this architectural gem offers a rare glimpse into the life of servants in the late 19th century.

Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the extraordinary records maintained by Frances Glessner. Her personal journal and a separate book, where she documented each servant as they came and went, provide an unparalleled insight into the lives of these unsung heroes.

In the late nineteenth century, Prairie Avenue was the most exclusive street in Chicago. Nearly ninety mansions lined the six blocks from 16th to 22nd streets, including the homes of the city’s three wealthiest citizens - department store owner Marshall Field, meat packer Philip D. Armour, and sleeping car manufacturer George M. Pullman.

Explore over two centuries of history – from the Battle of Fort Dearborn in 1812 through the neighborhood’s recent transformation into what is once again one of the most fashionable and desirable neighborhoods in Chicago.

At the height of the great Gothic revival in church architecture during the 19th century, stained glass windows enjoyed a renaissance. Already famous for their innovative designs, William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Ford Madox Brown were responsible for some of the most beautiful stained-glass windows of the 19th and 20th centuries. This lecture will look at the history of how ‘The Firm’ brought church windows to life with their new vibrant colors and sensuous designs. The languid faces of the saints and holy family were often modeled on real life portraits of their friends and lovers.

The presentation will be given by Geri Parlby, a former Fleet Street journalist. She has a Masters in the History of Art from the Courtauld Institute and a Theology doctorate from Roehampton University in London. She has been lecturing for the past 18 years both in the UK and internationally.

Immerse yourself in the stunning design philosophy of William Morris. Reflecting the deep interests of Frances Glessner and the renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson in the English Arts and Crafts Movement, Glessner House showcases what is believed to be the largest collection of Morris wallpapers, textiles, and rugs in any publicly accessible residence in the United States.

Join us for a tour of this historic gem and discover the beauty and craftsmanship of Morris's work. From original pieces by Morris and William De Morgan, to faithfully reproduced wallpapers and textiles, you'll gain an intimate understanding of the design philosophy that defined the Arts and Crafts movement.

Discover the remarkable artistic legacy of Giannini & Hilgart, a Chicago-based firm founded in 1899 that created exquisite stained glass installations across America. This talk will examine the firm's contributions to Chicago's historic Second Presbyterian Church alongside rarely seen residential installations in homes throughout the country, revealing how Giannini & Hilgart worked seamlessly with leading architects of the Progressive Era to create harmonious decorative environments. Through visual examples and historical context, attendees will gain an appreciation for the craftsmanship and creativity of one of America's most accomplished yet overlooked stained glass studios, illuminating a hidden chapter in American decorative arts history.

The presentation will be given by Ted Ellison who operates an architectural glass studio in Oakland, California, bringing more than 25 years of experience to creating one-of-a-kind stained glass installations for homeowners, architects, and designers.

Uncover the groundbreaking design of Glessner House on our exclusive tours! Step back in time to 1887 and witness a piece of architectural history that sparked controversy and paved the way for modern residential design. As you explore this magnificent building from basement to attic, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the work of H. H. Richardson and the lasting impact he had on architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a rare opportunity to delve into the history and intricacies of this masterpiece, with access to areas not seen on public tours and a chance to view Richardson's original sketch. Don't miss this unforgettable two-hour journey into the heart of architectural innovation!

Step into a world where 60 percent of a family’s home was dedicated to areas for paid servants to live and work. Immerse yourself in the captivating story of this 17,400 square foot mansion, designed by the celebrated architect Henry Hobson Richardson in 1885. Commissioned to house the Glessner family and their live-in staff of eight, this architectural gem offers a rare glimpse into the life of servants in the late 19th century.

Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the extraordinary records maintained by Frances Glessner. Her personal journal and a separate book, where she documented each servant as they came and went, provide an unparalleled insight into the lives of these unsung heroes.