Sights & Sips at the Metropolitan Club - A Tour From Atop - April 2023

Sights & Sips

Friday, April 21ST. 6pm at Metropolitan Club

EARTH DAY CHICAGO BUILDINGS

Green and LEED sites around the Loop

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Discover chicago’s iconic buildings and Honorary Streets

Chicago has, arguably, the most beautiful skyline in the world. It is home to the world’s first steel frame skyscraper and one of the first honorary street naming programs in the country. Learn about the intersection of architecture, history, biography, and the official and unofficial names of Chicago streets and structures.

Presented by: Linda Zabors, author of the Honorary Chicago Guidebook

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Honorary Chicago Heart Flag (TM)

RSVP required Metropolitan Club.
312.876.3200 or email metropolitan@clubcorp.com
Metropolitan Club Members can register on club app

Cost: free

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See Chicago as you have never seen it before - from the stunning views of the Metropolitan Club, a private business club on the 67th floor of the Willis (Sears) Tower.

Honorary Chicago presents “A Tour From Atop,” a history and architecture tour with and from an unmatched perspective.

Enjoy happy hour special from 4-7pm and a guided private viewing of the Chicago cityscape.

 

A Tour From Atop - Sights & Sips at the Metropolitan Club

Sights & Sips

Friday, March 1oth. 5:30pm at Metropolitan Club

The Women Who Built Chicago

Modern Buildings and the Progressive era

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Discover chicago’s iconic buildings and Honorary Streets

Chicago has, arguably, the most beautiful skyline in the world. It is home to the world’s first steel frame skyscraper and one of the first honorary street naming programs in the country. Learn about the intersection of architecture, history, biography, and the official and unofficial names of Chicago streets and structures.

Presented by: Linda Zabors, author of the Honorary Chicago Guidebook

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RSVP required Metropolitan Club.
312.876.3200 or email metropolitan@clubcorp.com
Metropolitan Club Members can register on club app

Cost: free

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See Chicago as you have never seen it before - from the stunning views of the Metropolitan Club, a private business club on the 67th floor of the Willis (Sears) Tower.

Honorary Chicago presents a history and architecture tour with and from an unmatched perspective.

Enjoy happy hour special from 4-7pm and a guided private viewing of the Chicago cityscape.

 

A Tour From Atop - Iconic Buildings and Honorary Streets at the Metropolitan Club

Sights & Sips

Friday, December 16th. 5:30pm at Metropolitan Club

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Discover chicago’s iconic buildings and Honorary Streets

Chicago has, arguably, the most beautiful skyline in the world. It is home to the world’s first steel frame skyscraper and one of the first honorary street naming programs in the country. Learn about the intersection of architecture, history, biography, and the official and unofficial names of Chicago streets and structures.

Presented by: Linda Zabors, author of the Honorary Chicago Guidebook

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RSVP required Metropolitan Club.
312.876.3200 or email metropolitan@clubcorp.com
Metropolitan Club Members can register on club app

Cost: free

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See Chicago as you have never seen it before - from the stunning views of the Metropolitan Club, a private business club on the 67th floor of the Willis (Sears) Tower.

Honorary Chicago presents a history and architecture tour with and from an unmatched perspective.

Enjoy happy hour special from 4-7pm and a guided private viewing of the Chicago cityscape.

 

A Tour From Atop - Inside Willis Tower, Part 1 - Sears

Sights & Sips

Friday, November 18th. 5:30pm at Metropolitan Club

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Learn more about the Willis (Sears) Tower from the inside

The Willis Tower was the tallest building in the world for more than two decades its design and construction literally took skyscrapers to new heights. The early history of the tower belongs to Chicago’s own, Sears Roebuck Co. See how far we have come from the ultimate holiday catalog and a relic tower in the Lawndale neighborhood.

Presented by: Linda Zabors, author of the Honorary Chicago Guidebook

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RSVP required Metropolitan Club
312.876.3200 or email metropolitan@clubcorp.com
Metropolitan Club Members register for free on club app

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See Chicago as you have never seen it before - from the stunning views of the Metropolitan Club, a private business club on the 67th floor of the Willis (Sears) Tower.

Honorary Chicago presents a history and architecture tour with and from an unmatched perspective.

Enjoy happy hour special from 4-7pm and a guided private viewing of the Chicago cityscape.

 

A Tour From Atop - The Great Chicago Fire

Friday, September 16th. 5:30pm at Metropolitan Club

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The Great Chicago Fire - Rising From the Ashes , The Great Chicago Comeback

Following the fire of 1871 Chicago made a stunning recovery and entered an era of unprecedented growth and innovation. Learn how Chicago built a golden age for itself and became the

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RSVP required Metropolitan Club
312.876.3200 or email metropolitan@clubcorp.com
Metropolitan Club Members register for free on club app

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See Chicago as you have never seen it before - from the stunning views of the Metropolitan Club, a private business club on the 67th floor of the Willis (Sears) Tower.

Honorary Chicago presents a history and architecture tour with and from an unmatched perspective.

Enjoy happy hour special from 4-7pm and a guided private viewing of the Chicago cityscape.

 

A Tour From Above at Mid-America Club Happy Hour

Honorary Chicago presents a Chicago author led tour by Linda Zabors

A Tour From Above - Mid-America Club Happy Hour

Join us at the Mid-America Club for a Friday Happy Hour for a guided cityscape viewing from the 80th floor.

Stay warm and dry, this tour is entirely indoors

The February feature is Chicago’s 10 tallest buildings, Black History Month, and US Presidents in Chicago.

A Chicago tour provided by the Mid-America Club at the Aon Center

Friday, April 29, 2022
Friday, May 20, 2022
Friday, June 24, 2022 (Cancelled)

The Mid-America Club

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

Stay warm and dry this tour is entirely indoors.

Reservations required for building access
Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

Mid-America Club members can RSVP online or on the app

 

Chicago’s Ten Tallest Buildings through time

Lakeshore East history and architecture

Millennium Park tour and concert

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A Tour From Atop - The Women Who Built Chicago

Honorary Chicago presents a Chicago author led tour by Linda Zabors

A Tour From Atop

Join us at the Mid-America Club for a Friday Happy Hour and a guided cityscape viewing from the 80th floor.

Stay warm and dry, this tour is entirely indoors

The March feature recognizes International Women’s Day

A Chicago tour provided by the Mid-America Club at the Aon Center
Happy Hour

Friday, March 25, 2022

The Mid-America Club

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

Friday, March 25th

Stay warm and dry this tour is entirely indoors.

Reservations required for building access
Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

Mid-America Club members can RSVP online or on the app

 

Chicago’s Ten Tallest Buildings

The Women Who Built Chicago

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A Tour From Atop - February 2022

Honorary Chicago presents a Chicago author led tour by Linda Zabors

A Tour From Atop

Join us at the Mid-America Club for a Friday Happy Hour for a guided cityscape viewing from the 80th floor.

Stay warm and dry, this tour is entirely indoors

The February feature is Chicago’s 10 tallest buildings, Black History Month, and US Presidents in Chicago.

A Chicago tour provided by the Mid-America Club at the Aon Center

Friday, February 25, 2022

The Mid-America Club

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

Friday, February 25th

Stay warm and dry this tour is entirely indoors.

Reservations required for building access
Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

Mid-America Club members can RSVP online or on the app

 

Chicago’s Ten Tallest Buildings

Chicago and the Civil Rights Movement

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A Tour From Atop - January 2022

Honorary Chicago presents a Chicago author led tour by Linda Zabors

A Tour From Atop

First tour of 2022 begins at the Aon Building and Ends at the Hyatt Regency.

Stay warm and dry, this tour is entirely indoors

A Chicago tour provided by the Mid-America Club at the Aon Center

Monday, January 31, 2022

The Mid-America Club

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

Monday, January 31st

This tour is entirely indoors. It begins at the Aon Building and ends at the Hyatt Regency

Reservations required for building access
Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

Mid-America Club members can RSVP online or on the app

 

Chicago’s Ten Tallest Buildings

Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable

Chicago Pedway

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Chicago Pedway System

Image: City of Chicago, Chicago Pedway Map 2013

Image: Chicago Pedway Map posted in Pedway under Aqua Building

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Buildings accessible on The Chicago Pedway (Wikipedia)

• One North Dearborn Street

• One North State Street

• 2 North Riverside Plaza

• One Prudential Plaza (130 East Randolph Street)

• Two First National Plaza

• Two Prudential Plaza (180 North Stetson Avenue)

• Three First National Plaza (70 West Madison Street)

• 25 East Washington Street

• 77 West Wacker Drive

• 120 North LaSalle

• 139 North Wabash Avenue

• 200 North Dearborn Apartments

• 201 North Clark Street

• 203 North LaSalle Street

• 303 East Wacker Drive

• Aon Center (200 East Randolph Street)

• Aqua

• Block 37 shopping mall at 108 North State Street

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower (300 East Randolph Street)

• Boulevard Towers

• Chase Tower

• City Hall/County Building

• Chicago Cultural Center (formerly main library & GAR memorial)

• Chicago Title and Trust Center (181 North Clark Street)

• Columbus Plaza

• Richard J. Daley Bicentennial Plaza

• Richard J. Daley Center (50 West Washington Street)

• In front of the Dirksen Federal Building (interior not connected) (219 South Dearborn Street)

• George W. Dunne Cook County Administration Building (69 West Washington Street)

• Fairmont Hotel Chicago

• Grant Park underground parking garages

• The Heritage at Millennium Park (130 North Garland Court)

• Hyatt Regency Hotel

• Illinois Center

• Lake CTA Red Line station

• Leo Burnett Building (35 West Wacker Drive)

• Macy's in the Marshall Field and Company Building

• Millennium Park

• Ogilvie Transportation Center (500 West Madison Street)

• Millennium Station (formerly Randolph Street Terminal)

• Park Millennium

• Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel (formerly Stouffer Riviere)

• 150 North Michigan Avenue

• The Sporting Club at Illinois Center

• Swissôtel Chicago

• James R. Thompson Center (100 West Randolph Street)

• Washington CTA Blue Line station

Image: OpenStreetMap.org Contributors 2022

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Source

Wikipedia: Chicago Pedway
City of Chicago: Pedway
OpenStreetMap.org

Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable

Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable was the pioneer credited as being the first non-native resident of what is now Chicago. He developed his property on the north bank of the Chicago River near the shores of Lake Michigan (ca. 1779)

In 1673 Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet explored this region and noted it’s good location as a trade route through the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River.

DuSable was born (ca. 1745) in what was the French Carribean colony, now know as Haiti, to a woman of African descent and a French mariner. He was educated in France and came to the United States around the early 1770s to make his fortune. He entered the New World through the port at New Orleans and made his way up the Mississippi River to Illinois. It was there he married his wife Kitihawa, a Potowatomi woman. They built a house and raised their two children in the area which is now Chicago.

At the time, fur trading was big business. In 1627 The Company of New France was established in what is now Montreal, Canada, which setup operations to source furs from the new world.

During the American Revolution he was arrested by the British, and for a while imprisoned at Fort Mackinac in Michigan before returning to Chicago. DuSable was a neutral party and had been involved in peace negotiations with native tribes.

In addition to his native French, DuSable spoke English, Spanish, and several tribal languages, all of which served him well in his trading business. DuSable was a very successful. In 1800 he sold his property and moved down the Mississippi, ultimately to Missouri, where he spent his last days. In 1968 a historic marker was placed at his gravesite.

The DuSable cabin was featured in an exhibit at the 1933 World Fair in Chicago “Century of Progress,” where he was recognized as Chicago’s first permanent resident. He was officially recognized by the City as Chicago’s founder on March 1, 2006.

Photo (public domain): Andreas 1884. Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable portrait

b. ca. 1745 in St. Marc, San Dominigue (Haiti)
d. August 28, 1818 in St. Charles, Missouri. Approx age 73.

Several sites and organizations in Chicago are named for DuSable

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Pioneer Court

This is the location where Dusable built the house where he lived with his wife and children. He developed his estate which included his trading business, barns, garden, orchard, stables, smokehouse, dairy, bakehouse, and where he employed others to work on his property.

He lived here for about two decades. His wife, Kitihawa (Catherine), was a member of the Potowatami Native American tribe. They were married in a tribal ceremony and later in a Catholic ceremony in Illinois in 1778. They had two children, a son, Jean, and a daughter, Suzanne. His granddaughter Eulalie Pelletier was born in 1796.

In 1789 he bought an additional 400 acres of property; this area was now part of the United States.

DuSable sold his property in 1800 and moved downstate. His property was later owned and occupied by John Kinzie (for whom Kinzie Street is named), the Kinzie family lived there until they fled during the Fort Dearborn Massacre of 1812. When Kinzie sold the property in 1834 it extended from the Lake to approximately Chicago Avenue at State Street.

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Honorary Dusable Bridge

Michigan Avenue crossing the Chicago River to Wacker Drive

 

Approved: 2010

Ward: 42
Alderman:
Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile

The bridge crossing the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue opened in 1924. It was the world’s first double-deck traffic moveable bridge.

Photo: Honorary Chicago / Linda Zabors 2020. Honorary DuSable Bridge (raised) over Chicago River

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Map image: OpenStreetMap.org Contributors 2022, annotated: Honorary Chicago

DuSable Harbor

DuSable Harbor is located just south of the mouth of the Chicago River and the Coast Guard Headquarters at the Chicago Lakefront. DuSable Harbor is managed by the Chicago Park District.

DuSable Founders Way

The river esplanade on the north bank of the Chicago River between the Honorary Dusable Bridge and DuSable Lake Shore Drive is called DuSable Founders Way.

DuSable Park

DuSable Park, a parcel of lakefront land near the Ogden Slip on the north bank of the Chicago River near Lake Point Tower, was dedicated in 1987 by Mayor Harold Washington. The 2005 redevelopment of the park was stalled after the a nearby real estate financing fell through and when the site was determined to be in need of environmental remediation. Efforts are underway to develop this park.

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Jean Baptiste Pointe Dusable Lake Shore Drive

Rededicated in 2021

Lake Shore Drive dates back to the early days of Chicago history. It is a famous street which runs along the shores of Lake Michigan. It was renamed to honor DuSable, as Chicago’s first non-native resident, in 2021.

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Dusable Museum

Founded in 1961 as the Ebony Museum of Negro History and Art, the museum was renamed in honor of Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable.

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Dusable High School

Built in 1935 as the New Wendell Philips High School, an expansion of the original school.

The following year, on April 25, 1936 the New Wendell Philips High School was renamed in honor of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, as the founder of Chicago.

Many famous people attended this school, DuSable Hall of Fame. The building received Landmark Status in 2012.

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DuSable Postage Stamp

In 1987 a 22-cent US postage stamp was issued in honor of Jean Baptist Pointe DuSable.

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Source

WTTW
Encyclopedia of Chicago
Dusable Heritage Foundation
DuSable Museum
DuSable High School

Chicago Tribune. Kogan, R:    https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-kitihawa-drive-chicago-kogan-1204-20191203-mtwyzk24rrcjpfumlgczcgswsu-story.html

Wikipedia: Kitihawa Pointe Du Sable  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitihawa_Point_du_Sable

The Root. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. 2013

https://kids.kiddle.co/Jean_Baptiste_Point_Du_Sable_Homesite

Walking Tour - Streets, Structures, and Sculptures - update September 2021

Honorary Chicago presents a Chicago author led tour by Linda Zabors

Walking Tour - September 29th

Streets, Structures, and Sculptures - update since COVID-19 shut-down

A Chicago tour provided by the Mid-America Club at the Aon Center

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

The Mid-America Club

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

Wednesday, September 29th 6pm

This is an outdoor walking tour followed by happy hour at the Mid-America Club

Reservations required for building access
Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

Mid-America Club members can RSVP online or on the app

 

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International Women's Day at the Mid-America Club

The Women’s Committee at the Mid-America Club and Honorary Chicago present

International Women’s Day Reception

At the Mid-America Club RSVP

#EachForEqual

The Mid-America Club

 

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

March 4th, 5:30pm

Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

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One Hope United St. Patty's Day at the Mid-America Club

Note: This event was canceled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus

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Saturday, March 14th Honorary Chicago presents a Chicago author led tour with Linda Zabors

One Hope United

Chicago St. Patty’s Day Party and Fundraiser

At the Mid-America Club RSVP

A guided Chicago River history tour by Honorary Chicago

A Chicago tour viewed from the private club on the top floor of the Aon Center

Stay warm and dry, this tour is entirely indoors

The Mid-America Club

 

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

March 14th, Saturday 8 AM 

Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

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A Tour from Atop - Chicago from the 80th floor at the Mid-America Club, by night

Honorary Chicago presents a Chicago author led tour by Linda Zabors

Tour from Atop - the Happy Hour

Happy Hour at the Mid-America Club 5:30pm

A guided tour of the Chicago skyline at night

A Chicago tour viewed from the private club on the top floor of the Aon Center

Stay warm and dry, this tour is entirely indoors

Wednesday, January 29, 2020 5:30 PM

The Mid-America Club

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

January 29th, Wednesday 5:30 PM 

Join us for Happy Hour and guided tour
indoors with spectacular views of the city below

Reservations required for building access
Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

Mid-America Club members can RSVP on the app

 

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A Tour from Atop - Chicago from the 80th floor at the Mid-America Club, volume 3

Honorary Chicago presents a Chicago author led tour by Linda Zabors

Tour from Atop - April 27th

Volume 3 - Chicago architecture and inventions

A Chicago tour viewed from the private club on the top floor of the Aon Center

Stay warm and dry, this tour is entirely indoors

Saturday, April 27, 2019 10:30 AM

The Mid-America Club

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

Saturday, April 27, 10:30 AM

$25 ($15 club members) includes the tour and brunch refreshments
This tour is held indoors with spectacular views of the city below

Reservations required for building access
Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

Mid-America Club members can RSVP online or on the app

 

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A Tour from Atop - Chicago from the 80th floor at the Mid-America Club, volume 2

Honorary Chicago presents a Chicago author led tour by Linda Zabors

Tour from Atop - February 9

Volume 2 - Structures, streets, and waterways - an early Chicago history

A Chicago tour viewed from the private club on the top floor of the Aon Center

Stay warm and dry, this tour is entirely indoors

Saturday, February 9, 2019 10:30 AM

The Mid-America Club

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

Saturday, February 9th, 10:30 AM 

$15 includes the tour and brunch refreshments
This tour is held indoors with spectacular views of the city below

Reservations required for building access
Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

Mid-America Club members can RSVP online

 

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A Chicago Tour viewed from the 80th floor - Mid-America Club

The Mid-America Club and Honorary Chicago present the second installment of the skyscraper tour by Chicago author, Linda Zabors

Tour from Atop, II

Chicago history, streets, and architecture

Chicago as viewed from the private club on the top floor of the Aon Center. This is an indoor tour overlooking the city below.

Saturday, October 20, 2018
due to unforeseen circumstances this tour has been rescheduled for early 2019

The Mid-America Club

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

Rain or shine, this tour views the city from the top floor of Chicago’s third tallest building

October 20th
10:30 AM  Architecture and History Tour

$25 includes the tour and brunch refreshments

Reservations required
Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

 

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Mid-America Club - Tour Chicago from the 80th floor

Honorary Chicago presents

Tour from Atop

 

Chicago's ten tallest buildings viewed from the private club on the top floor of the Aon Center

Saturday, July 21, 2018

The Mid-America Club

200 East Randolph Street
Aon Building, 80th floor
Chicago, IL, 60601

10:30 AM  Chicago Inside and Out Tour

$15 includes the tour and brunch refreshments

Reservations required
Contact the Mid-America Club (312) 861-1100

 

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2nd Annual - Honorary Signs Tour of State Street with the Chicago History Museum

Sunday, August 6th at 2pm

Honorary Chicago Street Signs Walking Tour

Have you ever wondered who the people are who have honorary streets named for them?

Explore State Street as you have never seen it before - through the stories of the famous, infamous, and obscure people who made Chicago great.  

Join the Chicago History Museum as it presents the second annual
Honorary Street Signs Walking tour
with the author of the Honorary Chicago Guidebook, Linda Zabors

Walking tour of Chicago's Brown Honorary Street Signs along State Street

2pm in the lobby of the Harold Washington Library Center on Sunday, August 6th

Approximately 90 minutes and 1 mile