(The Loop, New Eastside, Printer’s Row, South Loop)
Zipcodes
60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605, 60606, 60607, 60661
Boundaries
North: Chicago River
East: Lake Michigan
South: Roosevelt Road
West: South Branch of Chicago River
Featured Annotation
Art Institute
Located in the Loop, the Art Institute is iconic.Student researchers interested in Chicago’s art scene should definitely visit.The Art Institute is free to Illinois residents on Thursdays from 5-8pm; however, do check other opportunities.If one has children under the age of 18, one can check out a Kids’ Museum Pass from any one of the Chicago Public Library branches.Up to 4 people can then visit for free.Of particular interest may be the areas of the Art Institute focused on Chicago art and photography as well as the Thorne Room, which contains the miniatures.One can find a hearty display of miniatures and stories of Chicago’s miniaturists there. Also connected to this are the Nutshell Studies of Forensic Sciences and the miniature dioramas created by Frances Lee Glessner.
Other Primary Sources of Interest
(Cabrini-Green, Dearborn Parkway, The Gold Coast, Goose Island, Magnificent Mile, Near North Side, Old Town, River North, River West, State Parkway, Streeterville)
Zipcodes
60610, 60611, 60622
Boundaries
North: North Avenue
East: Lake Michigan, including Filtration Plant and Navy Pier
South: Chicago River
West: North Branch of Chicago River
Featured Annotation
National Public Housing Museum
While the Jane Addams Hull House is an obvious choice as a resource on the Near West Side with real Chicago history in terms of the settlement house movement and social services, the National Public Housing Museum in River North (https://www.nphm.org ) also covers valuable ground, preserving the history of now mostly demolished Chicago high-rise housing projects as well as putting them in context of national movements toward affordable and public housing. Located at 625 N. Kingsbury St., the National Public Housing Museum is exploring. It does not seem as if they have a full museum; however, their office is located at the above-given address, and they are happy to share their archival materials upon request.
Other Primary Sources of Interest
(Dearborn Park, Near South Side, Museum Park, Central Station, Prairie Avenue Historic District)
Zipcodes
60604, 60605, 60607, 60616
Boundaries
North: Roosevelt Road
East: Lake Michigan, including Burnham Park Harbor
South: 26th St.
West: Federal to Cermak and then Clark to 18th St. and then South Branch of Chicago River
Featured Annotation
Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance
The Near South Side has a plethora of resources, including the Clarke House Museum (https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/clarke_house_museum.html ), which makes the claim for the oldest house in Chicago as well as the Glessner House within with Frances Lee Glessner created the Nutshell Studies of Forensic Sciences. However, the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance has immediate relevance as they are currently engaged in a discussion to carve certain aspects of the Near South Side into its own community area, #78. This is worth exploring as a way of understanding communities, community areas, and neighborhood identity in more depth.
Other Primary Sources of Interest
