As the first state-sponsored memorial to African-American veterans of World War I, the Victory Monument has become a hub of activity for the Bronzeville neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. In being dedicated to all the Black soldiers who died in the war, the monument has become an essential element of the community that connects it to […]
Ida B. Wells was an activist and journalist whose words and actions changed the face of the civil rights movement in Chicago, Illinois. Located in the Bronzeville neighborhood where she once lived, the Light of Truth Ida B. Wells National Monument has been able to celebrate her legacy while simultaneously transforming the space and community […]
For nearly a century, the Stockyards fire tragedy that took place in the early 20th century in Chicago, Illinois, was the deadliest event involving firefighters in American history. Although it was nearly forgotten, efforts to see this tragedy properly commemorated resulted in the creation of the Chicago Stockyards Fire Memorial. The notable connections the piece […]
Located on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, the Union Stock Yard Gate is a literal piece of history that connects the past of the city to the present Bridgeport neighborhood. The result of an effort to preserve and celebrate the only significant structural element from Chicago’s dominance in the meat packing industry, the landmark […]
Designed to be a testament to the thousands of African Americans who migrated to Chicago in the early 20th century in search of greater freedom and opportunity, Alison Saar’s Monument to the Great Northern Migration is equal parts celebration and commemoration. Oriented to the north to symbolize the traveler’s destination, the piece is connected to […]
The “Triplets” sculpture sits outside what is otherwise a plain building in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The perspective and site lines present the illusion of a “perfect” ring, but that’s just one sense of the sublime that sculptor Terrence Karpowicz sought to cultivate for audiences. The literal connections between each shape in the piece give it […]
There are few parks in the world that have been able to impact an entire city the way Millennium Park has done for Chicago, Illinois. Described by some as the ultimate example of successful urban planning and others as a place that could trigger a new way of thinking about public outdoor spaces, Millennium Park […]