As part of the Chicago Park District and Parkways Foundation series of events celebrating the life and work of Jens Jensen, a presentation will be offered at Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1359 N. Sacramento, Chicago. The event will be free and open to the public
September 29 at 6:00 pm
Julia S. Bachrach, Chicago Park District Historian will present “Humboldt Park: Jens Jensen's Living Laboratory." Jensen’s redesign of Humboldt Park between 1906 and 1908 provided an exciting opportunity for him. He had lived in the neighborhood for several years and had served as the park’s superintendent in the 1890s. Inspired by natural Midwestern scenery, Jensen created the park’s prairie river, edging it with native plants, rocky cascades, and stepping stone paths. He also incorporated Prairie style architecture in to the park, most notably the Boat House and Refectory designed by Schmidt, Garden and Martin. Ms. Bachrach will bring to life Jensen’s exciting transformation of the park.
Edward Torrez, AIA of Bauer Latoza Studios, presents "The Boathouse: Then and Now.” He will show the meticulous process of untaken by the architects of the restoration of this landmark building which originally housed boat storage, concessions, and provided a warming shelter for ice skaters and a public gathering space for summertime. The 2002 restoration project has won a number of awards including the Richard H. Driehaus Preservation Project of the Year.
