Burnham’s Backyard Open in Glencoe Features Burnham Designs, Skokie Lagoons
Posted on May 24, 2009 in categories Exhibits
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Burnham’s Backyard, the newest exhibition at the Eklund History Center, 377 Park Ave., Glencoe, features a look at how the 1909 Burnham and Bennett Plan affected the suburbs. In the Plan, whose centennial is being celebrated throughout the region, noted architect and planner Daniel Burnham and his co-author Edward Bennett called for green space and parks both in the city and suburbs.
One of the areas identified as being in need of conservation and preservation was the Skokie Valley Reserve, known today as the Skokie Lagoons forest preserves. The exhibit looks at the development of the forest preserves and illustrates the building of the lagoons with photos from the 1930s.
Also on display are ornamental door handles and knobs from Burnham-designed Chicago buildings on loan from noted collector Tim Samuelson, the City of Chicago’s cultural historian; and items from the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition (World’s Fair) where Burnham made his mark as a planner.
Colorful three-dimensional scenes of recreational enjoyment in the lagoons finish out the exhibit.
Burnham’s Backyard is open to the public on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sundays from 1-4 p.m. and by appointment. Admission is free. Parking is available in Glencoe’s downtown business district.
For further information or to make an appointment (individuals or groups are welcome), call 847.835.0040 and leave a message.