Fun fact of the day: Did you know…that the grounds of this Lincoln Park institution is situated on ancestral homelands of the Potawatomi people, who cared for the land until forced out by non-Native settlers?

That’s one of the many facts unearthed by the researchers and archivists at Chicago’s oldest cultural institution… the Chicago History Museum, aka, CHM, of the Chicago Historical Society, 1601 N. Clark Street. 

Only the beginning… 

Founded in 1856 and incorporated in 1857 by an act of the state legislature, the Chicago Historical Society opened its first building at the corner of Dearborn and Ontario Streets (now, TAO Chicago.) That building and most of the collection, however, burned during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, including, according to Wikipedia sources, Abraham Lincoln’s final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. 

What kept this museum going? Its mission: 

“CHM strives to be a destination for learning, inspiration and civic engagement. Through dynamic exhibitions, tours, programs, digital resources, and special events, the Museum connects people to Chicago’s history and to each other.”

By All Means, Keep Going

Enter Charles Guenther, a German-American wealthy confectioner, politician, and collector. He purchased many of the items now owned by the Chicago History Museum and served two terms as a Chicago alderman from the city’s 2^nd Ward. He donated his collection  to Chicago Historical Society archives, including garments allegedly worn by Mary and Abraham Lincoln to Ford’s Theatre on the night of the April 1865 assassination, and stained bed linens from the Petersen’s boarding house where the president died. To this day, this collection also contains Lincoln’s deathbed, the table on which General Robert E. Lee signed his 1865 surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant.

Expanding to Lincoln Park

After 36 years on North Dearborn Street, the museum and library moved to the current complex in Lincoln Park. The oldest part of the museum, designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, was built in 1932 by the WPA. In the ensuing years, the Museum has had two major expansions, in 1972 and 1988, which expanded exhibition galleries, the museum’s store and public cafe. 

Today… 

As Wikipedia sources note, the museum houses Chicago’s most important collection of materials related to local history. The extensive research library includes books and other published materials, manuscripts, paintings, sculptures, and photos exploring both Chicago and American history, with approximately 22 million holdings. 

Debunking Myths… “All It Needed Was A Spark”

It’s not Mrs. O’Leary’s fault. Nor the cow. As the New York Times describes the exhibit “City on Fire: Chicago 1871,” on display through August 2025, “the exhibition follows the path of the fire, from the barn of the Irish immigrant O’Leary family where it is believed the fire began, traveling east and north through the city. Visitors can learn about the fire’s destruction, the decisions citizens made as they fled and the city’s recovery efforts that eventually led to new fire safety procedures.”

Other Must-See Exhibits 

Chicago: Crossroads of America is a 16,000-square-foot space that explores the city’s development and its relationship to and influence on American history. Nearly 600 objects document the people and events of the past 200 years. For example, “Climb aboard L car no. 1, visit a jazz club, picture yourself in the fashions of a Marshall Field’s store window, and learn what makes Chicago home sweet home.”

Facing Freedomfocuses on eight American conflicts over freedom from the 1850s to the 1970s. The Sensing Chicagoinvites children to use their senses to discover the past. Children can ride a high-wheel bicycle, hear the Great Chicago Fire, catch a fly ball at Comiskey Park, and dive into a giant Chicago-style hot dog!

Coming Soon! 

In May, the museum will hostBack Home: Polish Chicagofeaturing artifacts, documents and reproduced photographs to help tell the story of the Chicago area’s vibrant Polish communities from the mid-1800s to today. CHS explores personal narratives, music, community involvement, as well as art installations from five local Polish artists.

This exhibition is a collaborative project and oral history initiative with the Polish History Museum (Warsaw, Poland), Polish Museum of America, and Loyola University Chicago Polish Studies program.

The museum is open Tuesday–Saturday from 9:30am–4:30 pm, and Sunday from noon-5pm. Also, the Museum is open on select Mondays and commemorative days. For tickets and information, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Few things are more glorious than a nice nap. However, I have noticed that sometimes I have a hard time waking up and end up groggy for hours. After a little research, I found out the length of your nap will determine how you feel afterward! What you need from the nap should tell you how long to sleep; it’s called the 30-90 rule.

Scientists studying sleep cycles tell us that naps are good for us, but sometimes too long is too much. When we doze off, our brains cycle through different sleep phases in blocks of about 90 minutes. The first 30 minutes is a phase of light sleep. Then follows deeper sleep lasting 30-75 minutes. Before waking you enter REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.This is where intense dreaming occurs.The deep sleep phase (30-75 minutes) takes care of fatigue. REM sleep concerns memory and mood. It archives memories and gets rid of everything else the brain doesn’t need. This will give us an idea for our nap duration.

A short nap (25-30) minutes is good for concentration, memory boosting, and refreshing your brain. NASA scientists found that the ideal nap length to boost cognitive performance found that a 26 minute nap increased performance by 34%. Now if you have a sleep debt (meaning you are not getting enough sleep at night) you might need to sleep at least 90 minutes. 90 -120 minutes will take you through all the sleep cycles. It will clear your mind, improve memory recall, and recoup lost sleep. Waking from REM sleep rather than deep sleep will leave you perky, awake, and not groggy. Use the 30-90 rule next time you nap. Less than 30 or more than 90!

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Now that football is behind us, it’s time to look forward to the upcoming baseball season along with the warmer temps of spring!  But in the meantime, we still have several weekends of winter to get through and this weekend is no exception.  So, get out there, make the best of it, and have a Happy Weekend!

Returning for its 8^th year, Chicago Black Restaurant Week highlights and supports local Black-owned restaurants and culinary businesses for the next two weeks at various restaurants throughout Chicago.  This annual event offers great eats, great deals, and great events from dozens of participating eateries offering special menus and discounts to celebrate the flavors of African American, African, and Caribbean cuisine.  This year’s lineup includes CheSa’s Bistro, Bronzeville Soul, Taste 222, and many others!  Plus, there will be lots of new things taking place this year as well!!

Experience the thrill of live theatre and awe-inspiring work at this year’s Chicago Theatre Week as it takes over stages throughout the city now through Sunday, February 26^th.  From major regional hubs like the Goodman Theatre and Broadway in Chicago to intimate spaces such as Redtwist Theatre and Lifeline Theatre, these venues offer value-priced tickets ($15 or $30 or less) to over 100 performances from musicals to improv to dramas and beyond!  Plus, don’t miss out on Special Dining Offers for Chicago Theatre Week patrons!!

Why wait for spring?  Head on over to the Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N. Central Park Ave.) in the Garfield Park neighborhood for their 2023 Spring Flower Show:  Bee’s Knees now through Sunday, May 14^th.  Peek into the wondrous relationship between bees and blooms.  Featured this year are beautiful spring bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinth, and tulips along with azaleas, delphiniums, hydrangeas, and more!  Plus, set amongst these blooms and giving a glimpse into the world of a bee are empty observation and demo hives from GPC’s beekeeping program!!  Reservations are required.

The Chicago Beer Society is hosting their 24^th annual Brewpub Shootout this Saturday (1 p.m.-5 p.m.) at Metropolitan Brewing (3057 N. Rockwell St.) in the Avondale neighborhood.  Come out and sample a wide variety of the best beers from many local brewpubs and microbreweries as well as sampling each brewpub’s food item before voting for your favorite beer, food, and pairing.  Winners will be announced at the end of the event and presented with their awards!  Come support your favorite brewery/brewpub or discover a new favorite!!

Delilah’s is hosting their 25^th annual Vintage Beer Festival this Saturday (12 p.m.-5 p.m.) and is located at 2771 N. Lincoln Avenue in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.  Over 100 beers (primarily strong ales, barrel aged brews, sour and live beers) from more than 50 breweries (both regional and international) will be available with many in multiple vintages!  Admission is free but sample tickets ($20 for 20) are only available at the door.  This is a unique experience since it’s the only festival of its kind held anywhere in the world!

No need to travel to NOLA for your Mardi Gras experience!  Just head over to the Old Crow Smokehouse (3506 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood this Saturday (12 p.m.-5 p.m.) for their Mardi Gras DAY Party.  A ticket gets you admission, a free brunch buffet, two drink tickets valid for Hurricanes, Mimosas, and select beers, complimentary beads for all guests, giveaways, and more!  It’s Mardi Gras the Chicago way!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

From now through February 26, Chicago BLACK Restaurant Weekwill celebrate the hundreds of food/beverage/dessert businesses serving delectable cuisine in the African American community. 

CBRW was founded in September 2015 as a way to honor the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who created Negro History Week in 1926.

One restaurant stands out from the crowd during, with the distinction of being a completely gluten-free Cajun/Creole gem in the Avondale community is CheSa’s Bistro & Bar, offering a fusion of Creole and contemporary American flavors. The two-year-old establishment is offering special brunch and dinner menus in its 1800-foot space.

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar was founded by Chef CheSa Rollins. According to a profile by Block Club Chicago, Rollins left her career in finance to launch CheSa’s Gluten Free Food Truck & Catering after she found out she has Celiac disease, an immune disorder triggered by consuming gluten.

As the legend goes, the Chef opened the bistro to evolve from the food truck and catering scene with fusion Creole and contemporary American flavors. 

Just in time for Fat Tuesday (February 21), CheSa’s has created special menus for the occasion. For brunch, priced at $25.23 per person, try their (remember, it’s all gluten-free!) Fried Chicken & Fried Beignet Waffles, which is a crispy chicken breast, seasoned to perfection, and served with delicately-topped cinnamon beignet waffles and berry compote. 

Or, Black Angus Short Ribs & Red GrIts, which pairs creamy purple and red grits, cooked in a cheese and butter sauce, topped with sliced black Angus short ribs. 

Other options include their Catfish Skillet – house smothered potatoes, two eggs (any style) and three catfish fillets, and Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Balls, with eggs and house potatoes. 

For dinner, at $59.23 per person, starters include theLobster Louie Salad, made with iceberg lettuce, egg, and avocado remoulade. Garlic Alligator Dip, a five-cheese dip with spinach and alligator. Fried Green Tomatoes, with house aioli. CheSa’s Devil Egg has fried shrimp bites.

Main courses include Lobster Etoufee – authentic Cajun comfort dish with lobster. Crispy Skin Salmon comes with orange-braised sweet potato. And the Bella Mushroom has creamy truffle Risotto, topped with Bella mushrooms. 

As always, make room for dessert, especially when the selections include Banana Pudding Souffle, Triple Chocolate Cake, and CheSa’s Chocolate Mousse.

Google reviews were a lot like this one’

“Found CheSa’s bistro through google maps search and am so glad I did! This is a legit gourmet Southern cuisine restaurant on the northside. Chef CheSa is creating gluten free miracles daily. You wouldn’t know this is a new restaurant because chefs knowledge of the south runs deep. Everything we had tonight was authentic and amazing. I would challenge anyone to know that what they were eating was gluten free. Do not let that fool you. These dishes are purely sublime and full of flavor! My wife and I had the creamy, spicy delicious po’boy shrimp tacos and lobster Mac ‘ n cheese. Wow! Get ready for a gut bomb cuz my wife had slow-roasted beef ribs over savory, multi-cheesy grits and I had the delicious fried catfish over shrimp and chicken Cajun jambalaya!!!! So decadent and good I can’t wait to go back to try more”

CheSa’s Bar & Bistro is located at 3235 W. Addison. They are open for dinner Tuesday-Thursday from 5pm-10pm, and Friday and Saturday 5pm-11pm. Cajun-style brunch is served Saturday from 11am-3pm and Sunday from 11am-4pm. For reservations, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Living in a small house or apartment can be challenging, even if you have few belongings when you move in. Over time, you’ll inevitably collect more items, requiring you to creatively store things with limited closet space and shelving.

But you don’t have to live in a 2,000 square foot house to have plenty of space for everything you own. By making the most of the space you have available, you’ll have more room than you ever imagined. Here are a few of the most popular types of storage solutions for small living areas.

Shelving

Your place is likely covered in unused space. As you look around, pay special attention to empty walls, especially toward the ceiling. Shelving is a great way to create extra storage space where it didn’t previously exist, even if that space is close to the ceiling. Rarely-used items can be stored there to be accessed only when needed. This type of storage can be implemented in bathrooms and kitchens, as well, to create extra storage space above toilets and sinks.

Corners are also ideal for storage, with specially-designed shelving units creating a place for your books, keepsakes, and supplies. You can also use creative shelving in cabinets and closets to add extra space. Instead of simply installing shelves under your sink, you can use a Lazy Susan approach that makes frequently-used items more easily accessible. With the right type of shelving, cabinet space can be maximized to double, triple, and even quadruple the number of items that can be stored there.

Storage Bins

There’s no shortage of bins and baskets available to meet your small-space storage needs. For high-visibility areas, you can employ attractive baskets that match your décor, including stackable options that can make the most use of vertical space. Mini-chests of drawers can be used in closets and bedrooms to provide extra space for storing clothing and other personal belongings. With so many attractive options, you can find a look that enhances your living space while also keeping items neatly tucked away.

Storage bins can allow for items to easily be placed under beds, in closets, and in storage areas like attics and basements. Because these bins often stack easily, you’ll often find that you can pack mass quantities of personal belongings into them, squeezing a large amount into a small space. These bins are also ideal for seasonal items like off-season clothing and holiday decorations. Even once you’ve moved to a larger space, you’ll often find that storage bins are a great way to store items when they aren’t in use.

Living in a small space presents quite a few obstacles but with a little creativity, you can tuck items neatly away and free up extra room. Once you’ve learned to use the extra space available, you’ll likely realize that even in larger spaces, creative shelving and storage bins are a great way to keep clutter at bay while still having access to belongings in case you ever need them.