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Chicago’s Newest Waterfront

The Rebirth of the Chicago River

Explore Chicago! Learn about the rich history of the Chicago River and find out the latest amenities, including the exciting Riverwalk. Please register for link to Zoom.

The Chicago River has undergone a series of dramatic transformations, from muddy waterway to commercial artery to aquatic playground. Laurie Petersen will provide a richly illustrated history of the river, including its many fascinating bridges and the inspiring new architecture on its banks.  She’ll bring us to the present day with photos of the latest amenities, including the exciting Riverwalk.

Laurie Petersen is the editor of the American Institute of Architects’ AIA Guide to Chicago, the most comprehensive guide to the city’s buildings. The fourth edition of the book was published by the University of Illinois Press in June 2022. She has appeared on Chicago Tonight and has given numerous lectures about architecture in the Chicago area. She also writes for Chicago Architect magazine. She is a docent who leads tours at Crow Island School in Winnetka and helped develop a web-based tour of that National Historic Landmark school. She also leads tours at Chicago’s Charnley-Persky House, designed by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.

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