Class Description
This class will explore the Chicago River through a series of walking tours and readings. We will walk along the bank of a different stretch of the river in each session, from Bubbly Creek at the south to the North Shore Channel at the north. We will study the place of the Chicago River within the region’s larger system of waterways for purposes of transporting people and goods; manufacturing; managing drinking water and waste; studying biology and geology; and recreation. All of the sites may be reached easily by public transportation. The instructor will send meeting places and directions.
Please read our Walking Tour Policies. The rain date is November 8.
Diane Dillon is a Scholar-in-Residence at the Newberry Library. She earned a PhD in the History of Art at Yale.
What to Expect
Format: In Person
Class Capacity: 24
Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged
Materials List
Required
- Instructor-Distributed Materials
- Admission fee for the Chicago Maritime Museum ($5 for seniors and students; $10 for adults; free for teachers and military personnel)
A Brief Syllabus
- Introductory session at the Newberry, including a collection presentation
- Chicago’s Beginnings: From the Mouth of the Chicago River to Wolf Point
- Bubbly Creek, Bridgeport, and the Chicago Maritime Museum
- The South Branch and the I&M Canal
- The South Branch and its Bridges
- Goose Island and the Wild Mile
- The North Branch and the North Shore Channel
- The North Shore Channel Meets Lake Michigan
Cost and Registration
8 Sessions, $300 ($270 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($300), Community Supported ($280), and Sponsor ($320). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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