Winter 2017 Speaker Series
with Author and Historian
Julia S. Bachrach
Prairie Style in the Parks
At the turn of the twentieth century, Chicago's parks played an important role in the development of the Prairie style of architecture and landscape architecture. A progressive group of Chicago designers, social reformers, scientists, businessmen, and politicians believed that the native landscape was a resource to be revered, idealized, and conserved. Landscape architects Jens Jensen and O.C. Simonds created park spaces that celebrated the natural characteristics of Midwestern scenery. Architects Dwight H. Perkins, Hugh M.G. Garden, William Carbys Zimmerman, and William Drummond produced park structures in the same spirit. Historian and author Julia Bachrach will explain the evolution of the Prairie style in the parks while highlighting the Chicago Park District's partnership with Chicago Public Library to digitize and preserve the District's archival collections.
Julia S. Bachrach has served as the historian and preservationist for the Chicago Park District for 28 years. Her duties include managing the district’s extensive archival collections. Julia writes extensively on the subject of historic landscapes, artworks, and architecture in Chicago’s public sphere. Her books include The City in a Garden: A History of Chicago’s Parks and Inspired by Nature: The Garfield Park Conservatory and Chicago’s West Side. Julia has also written many essays and chapters for books such as the Encyclopedia of Chicago History, the AIA Guide to Chicago Architecture and the soon to be published Art Deco Chicago.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
WHERE: Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Library Center, Video Theater, Lower Level - 400 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605
WHEN: Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
WHO: This event is FREE and open to the public; no registration required
PRESENTERS & SUPPORTERS
Presented by Chicago Collections in collaboration with Chicago Public Library, a Founding Member of Chicago Collections Consortium.