Chicago Collections

@chicollections

A consortium of libraries, museums, and other institutions with archives that collaborate to preserve and share the history and culture of the Chicago region.

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Chicago Collections@chicollections· 25d

Despite the smell, I’m feeling a little more hopeful

Chicago Collections@chicollections· 26d

Here too

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Jun 26

We've stuck a fork in FY26 and are calling it a wrap! Look what we've done this year! Thank you for joining, searching, and supporting!

A colorful image of CCC's snapshot of FY26. New members! Promotion in the city! Public programs! Not to mention the number of users of our flagship initiative, the EXPLORE Chicago Collections portal!

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Jun 24

Such a pleasure to attend member @mediaburn.bsky.social's open house last evening in their new space! It's a Chicago media lovers' dream 😍

Stared at this for a while and realized yes, it's a bust of Studs Terkel!

Collections shelving at Media Burn Archive

Studs Terkel and WTTW tapes at Media Burn Archive

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Jun 23

Thrilled to be at legendary Sidetrack for the Office of the City Clerk’s event featuring more City Council audio archives, exploring LGBTQ+ history 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

From the seats of power: Exploring LGBTQ+ history through Chicago’s City Council

Moderators Anna Valencia and Dario Durham, speakers Tom Tunney, Anna DeShawn, and Tracey Baim with guest of honor Art Johnston

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Jun 8

CCC made its presence known at the initial conference of the @shgape.bsky.social 6/5-6/6. Hosted by @loyolachicago.bsky.social, over 100 attendees picked up our flyer introducing them to our range of repositories and services & our tempting assortment of bookmarks! Remember us for Chicago research!

Chicago Collections Consortium bookmarks and info sheet making their presence known at SHGAPE over the weekend!

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Jun 1

Kicking off Pride Month with our favorite Mayor courtesy of member @chipublib.bsky.social! Happy Pride 🏳️‍🌈!

Mayor Harold Washington spoke to approximately 6,000 people who attended the 18th Annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade held in Lincoln Park on June 28, 1987
From member CPL: https://explore.chicagocollections.org/image/chipublib/241/028qw5n/

Chicago Collections@chicollections· May 21

Grateful to @chipublib.bsky.social and the Poetry Foundation for the 5th year of our Making History Come Alive With Words poetry competition for high school students. Student poets give us hope!

A table at the lower level of the HWLC with award winning poems by high school students in our Making History Come Alive With Words poetry competition

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Apr 28

If you want caps lock randomly turned on, the coworker is your guy

A tuxedo cat is too close to a keyboard. The monitor shows an image of the Crown Fountain dated April 38, 2004 from member CPL

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Apr 14

Glad to have the home office option when there are problems on the L

A tuxedo cat just barely allows work to be done on a laptop

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Apr 8

Fantastic event with panelists responding to City Council audio archives clips featuring women of City Council! A highlight--hearing Dorothy Tillman refuse to remove her hat! Thank you speakers and the City Clerk's office! Excellent reminder that local government counts!

Chicago City Council Archive (1970-2012) From the seats of power: Exploring the Women of Chicago's City Council

Moderator Dario Durham, 77 Flavors of Chicago, City Clerk Anna Valencia, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Sara Faddah, 77 Flavors of Chicago

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Mar 31

Ugh

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Mar 31

We support Transgender Day of Visibility. Mama Gloria Allen's papers are held by member @chicagomuseum.bsky.social

The record for the Gloria Allen papers in the Explore Chicago Collections portal. The papers are held at member Chicago History Museum. Allen was a Black transgender activist.

https://explore.chicagocollections.org/marcxml/chicagohistory/30/v69b19b/

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Mar 26

From member @chicagomuseum.bsky.social opening day in 1916 (seriously, 110 years ago?) when Wrigley was Weeghman Park. We say, bring back the marching band for opening day! #chicagocubs

Image of a marching band followed by the National League's Chicago Cubs baseball team walking on the field on opening day of the 1916 season at Weeghman Park, known as Wrigley Field since 1926, located at 1060 West Addison Street and bounded by West Waveland Avenue; North Seminary Avenue; North Clark Street; North Sheffield Avenue, in the Lake View community area of Chicago, Illinois. Spectators standing in the grandstands are visible in the background.

https://explore.chicagocollections.org/image/chicagohistory/87/833nz83/

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Mar 17

Yeah, the parade was Saturday but today is St. Patrick's Day and we're sharing this today--one of our favorites from member UIC.

St. Patrick's Day parade image from member UIC from the CITY 2000 collection

https://explore.chicagocollections.org/image/uic/29/1g0hw05/

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Mar 9

It’s another fake spring day (not complaining!) so the coworker looks upside down at digital images of flowers in the portal.

A tuxedo cat tilts his chin up while digital images of spring display in the portal

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Mar 8

Happy to see a few copies of The Uptown still available! Publisher is out of stock so get to Women and Children First!

Two copies of The Uptown at Women and Children First

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Mar 5

"As flecks of plaster dropped from the ceiling" . . . Having read the book and seen Robert and Andy talk about it, yeah, I'm there.

May 13, 1977 Supertramp
John Wilward, Chicago Sun-Times, May 15, 1977: As flecks of plaster dropped from the ceiling of the Uptown Theater Friday night and I noticed that each bass note was surprisingly distinct, it was clear that Supertramp hadn't lost the touch . . . When it performs an unburdened catchy rocker . . . Supertramp reveals that it has a highly entertaining pop sense that can transcend its occasionally cloying pretensions.

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Mar 3

A challenge to do you justice both with the image and with the alt-text but happy belated!

Home Building Association from the Richard Nickel Archive at AIC. Although the photo is undated, the reflection of the boxy car makes me give a stab at the late 60s/early 70s (aided by Nickel's death date). The blues in the mosaic can't be beat! Sea blue and peacock blue.

From https://explore.chicagocollections.org/image/artic/85/z60ct45/

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Feb 20

We had the BEST time listening to Dominic A. Pacyga discussing his book Clout City yesterday in which RJD figures heavily. When we share the recording, we’re blaming technical issues on the coworker.

A tuxedo cat sits in front of a laptop with images of Richard J Daley

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Feb 6

Privileged to see David Omotoso Stovall discussing his book last night at the phenomenal National Public Housing Museum. See him if he speaks elsewhere and get this book!

Cover of David Omotoso Stovall’s book, Engineered Conflict: Structural Violence and the Future of Black Life in Chicago

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Feb 4

1/2 Hey, Chicago political history geeks, we were in heaven today at this event to launch the City Council Audio Recordings, 1970-2012. Find them linked via this page: www.chicityclerk.com/city-council...

Flyer for 2/4/26 event with Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, Rufus Williams, Radio Host, WVON, Dario Durham, Chicago Historian, Podcast Co-Host, 77 Flavors of Chicago, Helen Shiller, Former Alderman, 46th Ward

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Jan 13

It’s been a heavy start to the new year so the coworker asked to search for the Chicago Bears in the portal. Go Bears!

A tuxedo cat and a screen of Explore Chicago Collections results of a search for Chicago Bears

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Dec 31

Let's end this most challenging year with our favorite Dill Pickles and their Bawl M'ass'k courtesy of member @newberrylibrary.bsky.social (citation below) 2026 has to be better, right? Right????

Up Tooker Alley New Year's Eve Bawl M'ass'k Broadside from the Dill Pickle Club records, 1906-1941 at member Newberry Library

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Dec 16

It was a very somber and scary weekend but finding some bright spots: 1. seeing @robertloerzel.bsky.social and Andy Pierce discuss their amazing book, The Uptown, encompassing not just the theater but the neighborhood and 2. hearing Chance the Rapper make @chicagocta.bsky.social announcements

Photo of The Uptown:Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace by Robert Loerzel and James A.Pierce

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Dec 5

Re the Meat Block, this didn't make the obit at all! Use your newspaper subscriptions to find this!

1979 article from the Chicago Tribune on the purchase of the Meat Block steakhouse at 1311 N. Wells and its ties to the mob.

Second part of 1979 article from the Chicago tribune on the purchase of the Meat Block restaurant and its ties to the mob.

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Dec 1

Enjoying some digital images of Christmas on this snowy day from CCC members in our portal. Don’t let the innocent act fool you. Those paws can turn caps lock in a heartbeat.

A tuxedo cat looks innocent next to a laptop with digital images of Christmas in the ECC portal

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Nov 26

We're taking tomorrow off so we're giving early thanks to our members and all of you in our community and what better way than from a program from our favorite, the Dill Pickle Club!

Thanksgiving Ball program from the Dill Pickle Club, courtesy of member Newberry Library

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Nov 25

It's a sad anniversary, the death of Mayor Harold Washington in 1987 OTD, but we love this image of him with union members. Credit to member UIC.

Mayor Harold Washington marches in a Union Parade, image from UIC

Chicago Collections@chicollections· Nov 21

We were thrilled to be invited by the Department of Aviation to decorate a tree at out O'Hare! We hope you get to take a look in your holiday travels! Find us at Terminal 5 between gates M18 and M20. All images from our portal featuring members' collections!