MIDSTREAM: The Chicago River 1999-2010

Thursday, May 31, 12:00 noon
Noted photographer and author Richard Wasserman will discuss photographing the Chicago River over the span of one decade, immortalizing the Chicago River in all its visual richness and historical significance as it was undergoing significant transformation at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Mr. Wasserman will explore the importance of documenting the built environment and preserving memories of it for future generations. His remarkable images will be on display and a book signing will follow the lecture.

Chicago’s 140,000 Acre Park: The Millennium Reserve

Thursday, July 19, 12:00 noon
Diane Tecic from Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Management Program talks about the Millennium Reserve Initiative, which is a focused partnership effort to improve the environment, economy and communities in the Calumet Region. Find out what makes this area so special and how a comprehensive conservation initiative can enhance opportunities for people and wildlife in this 140,000 acres on the South Side of Chicago.

New Amenities: Chicago River Boathouses

Thursday, August 16, 12:00 noon
Join Cathy Breitenbach, Director of Lakefront Operations at the Chicago Park District’s Office of Green Initiatives, for a revealing presentation about plans to build four new boathouses along the Chicago River.

Bridge to the Future: Chicago’s Landmark Bridges

Thursday, September 13, 12:00 noon
Architectural historian Dennis McClendon discusses Chicago’s landmark bridges and protecting Chicago’s bridge legacy for the future. This lecture kicks off the fall bridge lift season, when visitors can go behind the scenes at the museum to watch the gears at work as they effortlessly lift the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

Blueways to Green: Designing With the River in Mind

Thursday, October 11, 12:00 noon
Kim Rice, Friends’ policy and planning manager, will talk about how mindful land development and building design that takes into account people, wildlife and clean water creates lasting benefits for the river and our communities as a whole.

Lectures are free with museum admission. Insider Club members enter free. Reservations recommended but not required. To reserve your spot call (312) 939-0490, ext. 23.

Celebrate this amazing milestone with Friends through Chicago River Day 20/20, 20 days of events and activities that commemorate this milestone and get people involved.

Whether you release a baby bluegill, go for a 5K running or walking tour, build habitat, or go on a river-edge pub crawl, there is something for everyone. Click on the calendar below and check out April and May to see what you can do.

Calendar Key

- Signature Event
- In Addition
- On Your Own
- Partner Event
- Voices from the River

See What You Can Do

“Friends put out a call for Chicago enthusiasts for this contest - and that is exactly what we got,” said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River. “We were amazed at the love, passion and dedication to Chicago and our river that candidates expressed in their essays. The judging process made it clear that the Chicago River has many citizen ambassadors throughout the region. Our judges had a difficult decision to make, but Lisa’s writing so enthusiastically reminded us why we are in love with this city and this river, and we knew thousands more people would enjoy following her adventure along the Chicago River.”

Lisa Lubin is a three-time Emmy® Award winning television writer, producer/director, photographer and video consultant. She documents her adventures on her blog, LLworldtour.com, with photographs and articles from the road/train/rickshaw/camel, or, in this case, bridge tower. Lisa has boated, kayaked, canoed, dined, biked and walked on the Chicago River, even wrote and produced television news segments about it, so the role she will assume as river ambassador while at Bridgehouse Museum is a natural one. Lisa will share her 24 hours of river-centric experiences through her blog and social media.

Lisa and three of her friends will check into the Bridgehouse Museum the afternoon of Friday, May 4. After a tour of the museum, they will board a Wendella cruise for a Chicago River Architecture Tour, followed by dinner at Hoyt’s. Back for the evening, they will have time to explore the museum and contemplate the amazing views from just a few feet above the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Should Lisa and her guests want a late night snack, neighboring Hotel 71 will deliver complimentary room service to the Bridgehouse door. The next morning, breakfast at Corner Bakery will be followed by a morning kayak tour courtesy of Urban Kayaks. The stay will conclude with a behind-the-scenes visit with Chicago Department of Transportation bridge operators as they open the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

Friends of the Chicago River held the Night at the Bridgehouse Museum contest as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Friends’ signature stewardship event, Chicago River Day, which annually attracts more than 4,000 volunteers who pick up litter on the river’s banks, maintain trails, remove invasive species and more. Starting on April 23, Chicago River Day 20/20 offers 20 days of events and activities throughout the watershed. From a pub crawl to a fish release, there’s something for everyone. See what you can do at www.ChicagoRiverDay20-20.org.

The liberation will be held in partnership with the Chicago Park District Fish N’ Kids program and is one of the events celebrating the 20th anniversary of Chicago River Day.

Sponsor a fish for $5 and get free museum admission (a $4 value). We recommend reserving your fish in advance by calling 312.939.0490 ext. 23.

What: Fish Liberation Ceremony
When: Friday, May 11, 12:00 noon
Where: McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
376 N. Michigan Ave., Riverwalk Level
Chicago, IL 60601

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live inside one of the bridge towers along the Chicago River? To help celebrate the 20th annual Chicago River Day this May, Friends of the Chicago River invites you to enter to win an amazing once-in-a-lifetime chance to make an iconic Chicago bridgehouse your home for 24 hours. In addition to bragging rights for the coolest pad in town, the winner will also become the Chicago River’s most visible ambassador for 24 hours.

Enter to win an amazing Chicago experience - and have an amazing impact on the Chicago River!

Friends is looking for Chicago enthusiasts who want to live the dream of moving into a bridgehouse for 24 hours of river-centered wonder. The winner and up to three friends will check in at the Bridgehouse Museum on May 4. Activities during the stay on May 4 and May 5 include:

- A Chicago River Architecture Cruise courtesy of Wendella Boats
- Dinner at Hoyt’s featuring exquisite Midwestern comfort food
- Overnight accommodations in the Bridgehouse Museum
- Room service delivered to the museum courtesy of Hotel 71
- Breakfast courtesy of Corner Bakery Cafe
- Guided kayak tour courtesy of Urban Kayaks
- Behind-the-scenes access to the bridge control room to watch bridge operators open the DuSable (Michigan Avenue) Bridge as a flotilla of sailboats sail through

Contestants are asked to submit a short essay about their hopes for the Chicago River’s future and proposing how they will share their experience to help thousands of people discover the Chicago River through their eyes. Visit www.chicagoriverday20-20.org or click here for official contest rules and information on how you can enter. Contest entries must be received by March 15, 2012.

The Bridgehouse Museum was selected as one of more than 100 sites for the inaugural openhousechicago. Sites also include the “original” Sears Tower in North Lawndale, the hidden stage of the legendary Sunset Café Jazz Club, little-known Frank Lloyd Wright sites, and many more.

Don’t miss out! Look for a special OHC section in the October 13th issue of the Chicago Tribune, and check out www.openhousechicago.org for full details and to register for the event. CAF members get special OHC access throughout the weekend.

To reserve your spot for either tour, please call (312) 939-0490, ext. 23. Friends of the Chicago River members receive a $2 discount and Insider Club members receive a $3 discount on each tour.

Loop Bridges Walking Tour - $12
Saturdays in September and October at 12 noon
(tour lasts until approx. 2 pm)

The tour starts at the Bridgehouse Museum, where guests will get an appreciation for how the Chicago-type bascule works. Then the group walks west along the Main Stem of the Chicago River, turning into the South branch, ending at the W. Madison St. (Lyric Opera) bridge. This will give guests the opportunity to see 11 of the 18 downtown bascules ranging in age from 27 to 98 years old. The tour will conclude with a water taxi ride back to Michigan Avenue.

The walk from the museum to Madison St. is about 1.5 miles and lasts about 2 hours. Bridgehouse Museum admission and the water taxi fare is included in the $12 admission charge. Tours are limited to 10.

Fall “Meet the Bridge Lift” Tour - $10
Saturdays in September and October at 8:45 am
(tour lasts until approx. 10:00 am)

This is the Fall version of this spring’s popular “Meet the Lift” tour and includes admission to the Bridgehouse Museum during the bridge lift. The tour begins at the Civil Engineering Monument of the Millennium located east of Lake Shore Drive on the Riverwalk level, at the mouth of the Chicago River. Guided by Jim Phillips, the group will walk the 0.6 mile distance along the river watching the Lake Shore Drive and Columbus Drive bridges rise - maintaining pace to arrive at the Bridgehouse Museum in time for everyone to be in their favorite spot. You can choose either the gear room or the top of the bridge tower to watch the DuSable Bridge (formerly Michigan Avenue Bridge) lift.

The tour will begin at 8:45 am on Lift Saturdays throughout the bridge lift season (9/17 - 10/29).

The Bridgehouse Museum will open for the 2011 season this Sunday, May 15. If you purchased an Insider Club membership on Groupon.com, you can redeem your voucher at the Bridgehouse Museum during regular museum hours, starting May 15, 2011 through May 15, 2012.

The Bridgehouse Museum is located at 376 N. Michigan Avenue, in the western bridge tower at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. Our main entrance is on the Riverwalk level. The museum is open Thursday - Monday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Please note that our museum is seasonal and is open through October 31. The museum will be closed between November 1st, 2011 and May 15, 2012. If you do not redeem your Groupon voucher(s) before October 31, 2011, you may again redeem your voucher(s) on May 15, 2012.

The Insider Club membership is valid for 12 months from the day you redeem your voucher. This guarantees you access to the museum for approximately six months of museum season, although those six months may straddle two summer seasons.

As an Individual Insider, you are entitled to the following benefits:

Unlimited free admission to the Bridgehouse Museum

•Two free museum passes to share with friends
•$3 discount on bridge lift tickets
•10% discount on museum merchandise
•Invitations to lectures at the Bridgehouse Museum and other Friends of the Chicago River special events
•Subscription to Friends’ e-news and newsletter
•The satisfaction that you are supporting a healthy and vibrant Chicago River!

Thank you again for joining our work for a more vibrant Chicago River! We look forward to seeing you at the museum!

You can also mark the day by brushing up on Chicago River history at the Bridgehouse Museum. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. until noon for a free season preview. The Bridgehouse Museum officially opens for the season on May 15.

Scheduled spring bridge lift viewing dates are as follows:

May
Saturday, May 21
Wednesday, May 25
Saturday, May 28

June
Saturday, June 4
Saturday, June 11
Saturday, June 18
Wednesday, June 22
Saturday, June 25

Bridge lift viewings begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays and 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. Entry fee is $10 per person. You can reserve individual tickets or schedule a group event by calling Ozana Balan King at (312) 939-0490, ext. 23. Additional Wednesdays may be available for groups of 15 or more.

For more information, visit our Bridge Lifts page.

If you purchased an Insider Club membership on Groupon.com, you can redeem your voucher at the Bridgehouse Museum during regular museum hours, starting September 30, 2010 through September 30, 2011.

The Bridgehouse Museum is located at 376 N. Michigan Avenue, in the western bridge tower at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. Our main entrance is on the Riverwalk level. The museum is open Thursday - Monday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Please note that our museum is seasonal and is open through October 31. The museum will be closed between November 1st, 2010 and May 15, 2011. If you do not redeem your Groupon voucher(s) before October 31, 2010, you may again redeem your voucher(s) starting May 15, 2011 through September 30, 2011.

The Insider Club membership is valid for 12 months from the day you redeem your voucher. This guarantees you access to the museum for approximately six months of museum season, although those six months may straddle two summer seasons.

As an Individual Insider, you are entitled to the following benefits:

Unlimited free admission to the Bridgehouse Museum

• Two free museum passes to share with friends

• $3 discount on bridge lift tickets

• 10% discount on museum merchandise

• Invitations to lectures at the Bridgehouse Museum and other Friends of the Chicago River special events
  
• Subscription to Friends’ e-news and newsletter

• The satisfaction that you are supporting a healthy and vibrant Chicago River!

Thank you again for joining our work for a more vibrant Chicago River! We look forward to seeing you at the museum!

This year’s topics explore the dramatic ways that people have impacted the Chicago River and its immediate environment. The lectures promote a greater understanding of the river’s significance to our region’s history and reveal the ongoing, inextricable relationship between the Chicago River and the people within its watershed.

Reservations recommended but not required. For reservations call 312.939.0490, ext. 23.

August 12, 2010, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Shaping Nature, presented by Dr. David Solzman, author and associate professor emeritus of geography and anthropology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, reveals how nature in the Chicago area was physically changed to accommodate the needs of a fast-growing metropolis. The lecture will be followed by a book signing for Dr. Solzman’s The Chicago River: An Illustrated History and Guide to the River and Its Waterways, available at the museum.

August 19, 2010, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Why Can’t We Swim in the Chicago River? presented by John Quail, Friends’ director of watershed planning, examines the water quality issues facing the Chicago River today and what it would take to make the river swimmable again.

September 16, 2010, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The Evolution of the Chicago Bascule Bridge, presented by Jim Phillips, founder of chicagoloopbridges.com, will explore how the now-ubiquitous Chicago bascule evolved and why this is the predominant bridge style spanning the Chicago River.

September 23, 2010, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

A Closer Look at Asian Carp, presented by Philip Willink, Ph.D., Field Museum Collections Manager of Fishes, closely examines this invasive species and the potential threat to the Chicago River system and the Great Lakes.

Cost:
Free with museum admission