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New Victory Gardens of WWI (LLC 3894)
Take a fascinating look at the Victory Gardens of World War I. Learn about the origination of Victory Gardens, how they played a part in WWI and enjoy learning about this fascinating time in history. Our instructor our instructor has even found a few short films from the Office of the War Department to share.
New Victory Gardens of WWII (LLC 3895)
The journey continues with an evening focused on the Victory Gardens of World War II. Learn about the continuance and growth of Victory Gardens from WWI to WWII, how they played a part in WWII and enjoy learning about this fascinating time in history. It may also surprise you to learn why the Victory Gardens seemed to disappear after the war. Our instructor has even found a few short films from the Office of the War Department to share.
Early Chicago (LLC 3808)
The first in a series of seminars on Chicago history and architecture, this evening will focus on early settlement patters, especially ethnic dispersion and land use development. Different residential architectural styles, innovations and evolution will be highlighted. Prairie Avenue’s rich mavens of industry and high society will be contrasted with Chicago’s more seamy side. A selection of Carl Sandburg’s poetry will help illustrate Chicago’s early urban character.
Chicago (World's Fair to 1909)
(LLC 3809)
Learn about Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, “The White City”. Individual buildings and the overall site plan will show how the Fair was shaped. Engineering marvels will be highlighted, including the first Ferris wheel and the moving sidewalk into Lake Michigan. Daniel Burnham’s leadership of the Fair led The Merchant Club’s charge to improve the “Real City”. Learn how Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago evolved from the White City.
Early Chicago Skyscrapers
(LLC 3810)
Examine several factors leading to the rise of the skyscraper. Building materials, styles, details, forms, functions, leaders, and engineering innovations will be analyzed. Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler will be highlighted with their Auditorium Building and Carson, Pirie, Scott designs. Trace the evolution of the early skyscraper, Chicago School of Architecture, noting progressive changes and utility today.
Frank Lloyd Wright (LLC 3811)
Learn about the special design forms and innovations of Frank Lloyd Wright, beginning with Sullivan as his mentor, working on the Auditorium Building and concluding with his controversial design for the New York City’s Guggenheim Museum. Also the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio colleagues and the many major events shaping his life will be examined. Special attention will be give to selected landmark homes: Robie House design 1909 and Falling Water 1932.
Evolution of the Chicago Skyscrapers (LLC 3812)
Architectural forms evolved and differed after the first skyscraper generation. Trace the development of later forms, such as Neo-Classis, Historic, Art Deco, Modern and Post-Modern. Designs by Helmut Jahn, especially his design for the James R. Thompson Center, 1985, 312 N. LaSalle, 1992, and IIT student resident quarters will be highlighted.
Will County History (LLC 3325)
Experience early Will County. This series of six seminars will be conducted by various presenters from The Will County Historical Society. Each night will feature a different topic in Will County History and time will be allotted for audience participation with the local historians. Discover local history and enjoy learning about people, places and happenings in your local area.
New Joliet Area Breweries (LLC 3896)
Join a local area historian and author as you are taken on a historical review of Joliet’s Breweries of the past. Porters, Sehring, Pioneer and Acme are some of the area highlighted breweries featured in this seminar. You will especially enjoy old photos and spotting the local area brewery signs along with viewing a sample of the presenter’s collectibles acquired through the years.