Court presentation gown with detachable train, 1892;
Silk satin, silk velvet, rhinestone, gold cloth, glass beads, net;
Charles Frederick Worth, Paris

If you haven’t already seen the exhibition Bertha Honoré Palmer, I urge you to make a visit to the Chicago History Museum before it closes on January 4, 2010. But even if you’ve already made a visit, you might want to come back since we just installed an opulent court presentation gown in the gallery. This amazing piece was made for Mrs. Palmer by the House of Worth in 1892.

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The Railsplitter, 1860, Oil on canvas, 9’ high x 6 ½’ wide

On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected sixteenth president of the United States. He won as “The Railsplitter” candidate, a nickname acquired the previous May when Illinois Republicans convened at Decatur to endorse a favorite son for president.

Lincoln was the likely choice but his supporters felt he needed a catchier nickname than “Old Abe” or “Honest Abe.” Thus, Richard J. Oglesby and John Hanks, a first cousin of Lincoln’s mother, located a split-rail fence supposedly built by Lincoln in 1830. When they walked into the hall carrying two of the rails—decorated with flags, streamers, and a sign that read, “Abraham Lincoln/The Rail Candidate”—the crowd went wild.

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This fall a group of DePaul University students are taking a course at the Chicago History Museum, learning about working in museums. As a class project, they have spread throughout the city to explore Chicago’s people and history. Their work comes together in a series called “People and Places.” This is the first installment.

The New, New Maxwell Street Market
Joseph Battaglia and Sharon Weber

Every Sunday thousands flock to the Near West Side of Chicago to experience the New, New Maxwell Street Market. This market certainly has changed a lot from the original Maxwell Street. The location, goods, and shoppers are drastically different, but you can still find an awesome bargain.

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Any day is a good day to celebrate Lincoln Park history, block by block.  As a matter of fact, you can start at the museum, in an exhibition conveniently titled Lincoln Park Block By Block! This has been such a fun exhibition to plan and create, and through the entire process I’ve had the pleasure of working with great people who not only know the deep history of LP, they live it and are dedicated to preserving it for generations to come. It doesn’t get much better than that. 

Tonight we are bringing everyone together to acknowledge the historical and artistic interpretations of Lincoln Park. Join us for a free program at the Chicago History Museum on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Lincoln Park Community Research Initiative (LPCRI). Five Lincoln Park-based organizations—LPCRI, CHM, DePaul University, Lincoln Park Village, and New Leaf Theatre are coming together under one roof to celebrate Lincoln Park history and the community joie de vivre.

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