December 2022
Dear Friends of the Hyde Park Historical Society,
2022 has been a year of rebuilding and re-opening for the Hyde Park Historical Society (HPHS). As the country slowly recovers from the lockdowns of the last two years, HPHS is finding a renewed enthusiasm for its mission. HPHS was founded in 1975 to record and preserve the history of Hyde Park Township, to promote that history to the local community, and to educate and involve individuals and organizations in an appreciation and understanding of the Township’s heritage. We look forward to continuing our efforts.
Rebuilding – Earlier this year HPHS debuted a completely redesigned web site with greatly expanded content. The new site features the Society’s archives of videos, newsletters and the new interactive map and history of Oak Woods Cemetery.
Reopening – For the first time in two years, the Society began holding in-person events that included:
● Tours of Jackson Park, Midway Plaisance and Washington Park in celebration of the 200th birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted.
● A history of Promontory Point.
● The history of Oak Woods Cemetery project.
● Open Houses at our historic cable car building.
● Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Harold Washington’s birthday.
Commitment – The dedicated volunteers of HPHS have continued and renewed their commitment to core activities such as oral histories, preservation, Hyde Park Book Club and the HPHS Monthly Bulletin. Through the technology imposed by the pandemic (Zoom) we have been able to reach a wider audience for programs such as Trish Morse’s When Hyde Park Was Happening! and community-themed programs featuring The Hyde Park School of Dance and the Chicago Children’s Choir.
Looking back, HPHS takes pride in what we were able to accomplish in spite of the limitations brought on by the pandemic. Looking forward, HPHS is excited to embrace a “new normal” by hosting in-person events and exploring new avenues of research. We are currently exploring additional walking tours of Hyde Park, scheduling various events for 2023, and planning regular open houses.
What keeps us together as a Society and makes all our efforts worthwhile is the support of our local community. And so, I ask you to contribute to our Annual Fund and our efforts to serve the Hyde Park and South Side community. Also, if you are not a member, please consider joining us.
Your contribution to the Annual Fund and your membership dues will again make possible enriching programs, support the maintenance of the Society’s historic cable car building, further the growth of the archives and resources, and continue additions to the HPHS collection of oral histories.
Below you will find the information on how to contribute and join on line, along with a form you can print and return with a check.
Thank you for your generous support,
Clinée Hedspeth, President
Hyde Park Historical Society
