School's out for David and Amy, but as David's work follows the Mon County School calendar, his duties with the department carry well into the summer. David and his graduate student colleagues are headed for a conference in Minneapolis and they have arranged to drop Amy off midway in Chicago to stay with a friend for a few days. Amy's friend Michael is an architect and a gourmand. She's stocked up with gratitude in the shape of liquor bottles and helps Michael prepare a historical punch for a dinner and gaming party. She even reorganizes his disheveled kitchen storage closet.
During the day, Amy makes her plan to sight-see. Michael's Andersonville rental is in a historic Swedish neighborhood that has a few boutiques and eateries. Its a partial-mile walk past old homes to the metro and the Loop. Here are some favorite homes from the daily walk:
Beautiful brownstones are the fingerprint of the neighborhood. As is this unusual home bedecked in sculptures inspired by Beaux-Arts.
Non-functioning keystones.
Today's destination was the Pritzger Military Museum & Library. It was a little difficult to find. The museum is centrally located near Millennium Park and the adjacent Art Institute of Chicago. Located on an upper floor of the historic Monroe Building, this non-partisan institution exists for the study of "the citizen soldier as an essential element for the preservation of democracy."
Before you set eyes on library collection, you must first pass through the Monroe Building's dramatic lobby. Meant as an office building in 1912, the Monroe Building underwent an extensive renovation in 2006 during which original wrought iron and ceramic tile were discovered and faithfully restored. The building featured tile work by acclaimed Rookwood Pottery of Cincinnati, then one of the largest woman-owned businesses in the country.
Up in the Pritzker there are photographs, diaries and medals on permanent display. There are advertisements on the reception desk for Memorial Day Weekend festivities, including oral histories and family activities. Sadly, due to restrictions on other museum passes, these activities had to be missed. An audio guide helps you through the current exhibitions, "American Icons of the Great War" and "She's a WOW! Women's Service Organizations in World War II"
There was much to glean artistically from the old lithographs, which marry art and design with propaganda. The exhibition touches on the origins of the infantry "doughboy," the Christy Girl, Columbia as the quasi-mythological personification of America, and the origins of Uncle Sam. Following are some favorite posters from the exhibition. To see more, and to hear audio commentary, visit: http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/museum/past-exhibits/american-icons-great-war/
And a couple images from "She's a WOW!" which featured many photographs and posters. More information at: http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/museum/past-exhibits/shes-wow/
The view from Millennium Park:
And the beauty of the nearby Palmer House drew Amy to divert from the plan. A phoenix from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire, the Palmer House was re-built by owner Potter Palmer and his young and wealthy socialite wife Bertha Honore in 1873. From the Hotel's website:
"Shortly after befriending Claude Monet in France, Bertha Palmer began decorating the Palmer House with paintings and other pieces inspired by her French heritage. She eventually accumulated the largest collection of impressionist art outside of France. The Palmer House was bedecked with garnet-draped chandeliers, Louis Comfort Tiffany masterpieces, and a breathtaking ceiling fresco by French painter Louis Pierre Rigal. The fresco was described by columnist George Will as “a wonderful protest of romance against the everydayness of life.”
"By the turn of the century, the Palmer House had become Chicago’s liveliest social center, hosting a long list of prominent figures—including those ranging from U.S. presidents to Charles Dickens to Oscar Wilde.
In 1933, the Golden Empire Dining Room of Palmer House was converted into an entertainment epicenter. It hosted legendary entertainers, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte, Louis Armstrong, and Liberace."
Amy also wandered through the many grand ballrooms to do some daydreaming. The rich French influence is breathtaking. The Palmer House has a museum full of artifacts. It was closed that day.
The vintage was found, but there was nothing to buy.
The sun is setting over the tremendously touristy Magnificent Mile. There were many shoppers consuming.
Chicago is a beautiful city. Back home, its late-night gaming, entomological appreciation hour, and country two-step/line dance lessons.
Meanwhile, David is enjoying an evening out dancing with the Minneapolis swing dance scene between conference presentations.
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