Chicago Collections

Where to find archives for reporting on systemic racism — Investigative Project on Race and Equity This article highlights several archival resources, from citywide portals to community collections, that can help journalists uncover systemic racism and add historical depth to their reporting.

Could not be more proud to work with such a great group of Chicago heritage workers through @chicollections.bsky.social to keep our EXPLORE portal running as a trusted diverse source: www.raceandequityproject.org/training-hig...

How Organizing Built Cross-Cultural Unity on the South Side — City Bureau Dominic Pacyga, an urban historian and author, has researched immigration history for decades. As ICE raids hit local communities, he sees parallels to how different groups have mobilized around a com...

Dominic Pacyga, an urban historian and author, has researched immigration history for decades. As ICE raids hit local communities, he sees parallels to how different groups have mobilized around a common cause. https://www.citybureau.org/newswire/2025/12/2/dominic-pacyga-immigration-raids-chicago

Will watch! Thanks!

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.

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

Displaced: When the Eisenhower Expressway Moved in, Who Was Forced Out? The Ike was the city’s first superhighway. Decades after its completion, people affected open up about how it scattered ethnic neighborhoods and changed many lives forever.

Much like any Chicago government collections, I think these would be notoriously decentralized but there are some great demolition photos in @robertloerzel.bsky.social's WBEZ piece on the Eisenhower: interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/...

I looked it up to see if the steak house he owned was That Stake Joynt (known for its bordello-like decor) but instead it was the Meat Block, which I must now research the heck out of!

Michael Pierpaoli Obituary (2024) - West Columbia, SC - South Carolina Cremation Society - West Columbia View Michael Pierpaoli's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

Continued in the obit! "Old Towne Chicago" and "The Plug Nickel"!
www.legacy.com/us/obituarie...

Thank you!!!!!!

And you can tell when it sounds wrong! Somewhat related, once had Google Maps on while driving and they pronounce Devon as though you're in England. No, Google Maps, it's D'VON!

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods!

Such a good question! Don't know the answer yet but previously worked on the far south side and said "103rd & Kedzie."

These are the Chicago discussions we're here for in these dark times. I'm serious.

Where is the love for East of Eden fans?

When are we having the Wax Trax reminiscences?

OMG, of course!

I mean, it was the Punkin' Donuts parking lot

RIP, Punkin' Donuts

One of the great things about working with colleagues who love Chicago history is appreciating how they title articles. We happily present "No Little Plans: Constructing a Local Controlled Vocabulary in EXPLORE Chicago Collections" by Kate Flynn and Erin Matson:
journals.ala.org/index.php/lr...

4/4 And finally, we are grateful for any amount in support of our mission of collecting, preserving, and sharing Chicago history
chicagocollections.org/support-give...

Digital Exhibits: Welcome to Chicago Collections Digital Exhibits As a way of sharing the resources of member collections, Chicago Collections has embarked upon a new phase of curation with the launch of digital exhibits. These exhibits introduce viewers to pivotal ...

3/4 Enjoy our digital exhibits which feature collections from our members:

exhibits.chicagocollections.org/digital-exhi...

Chicago Collections Consortium (CCC)

2/4 We appreciate whatever you can do, and that includes engaging with our free programming. We got to interview DR. CARLA HAYDEN in 2022 for our 10th anniversary! Find that and other great programs here:
www.youtube.com/@chicagocoll...

1/4 We know we're one organization among many reaching out on #GivingTuesday and that it's a challenging year.

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

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.

No matter what *someone* says, it's still World AIDS Day. Member University of Chicago has the ACT UP Chicago records because history cannot be covered up or whitewashed.
explore.chicagocollections.org/ead/uchicago...

Citation to above image:
explore.chicagocollections.org/image/newber...

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

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!

As someone *ahem* a little older, I remember being in college in New York state. It made the front page of the NYT but my classmates didn't get the importance.

Source: explore.chicagocollections.org/image/uic/99...

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

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.