Workers Cottage Walking Tours
The Chicago Workers Cottage Initiative has prepared several guided walking tours to showcase how workers cottages are an important part of their neighborhood. Our tours are are offered as a "pay what you can" opportunity to let neighbors learn more about the value of these houses. Please consider a donation of $5-$20 either when getting your ticket or on the day of the event to help us further our mission for the preservation of Chicago's workers cottages. Each tour lasts about 1-1/2 hours and involves about a mile of walking.
McKinley Park Cottages Walking Tour
The workers cottage is an important part of the story of Chicago's southwest side. In fact, these disctinctive vernacular houses make up more than a third of the houses in McKinley Park. Learn how these houses came to be built and changed over time by exploring a few blocks of the densest concentrations of Victorian cottages in the area. Hear stories about the builders and past residents of these historic houses and search for remnants of the nearly-forgotten cottage neighborhood of Mopetown.
Saturday June 29, 2024 - 2pm
Logan Square Cottages Walking Tour
Many visitors to Logan Square are familiar with the greystone buildings on the boulevards, but the humbler houses on the side streets were built before those grand manors. Explore the history and beauty of these historic homes in Logan Square and nearby Avondale. Hear the history of these unique vernacular houses, some stories of colorful former residents, and the need for their preservation.
Sunday June 30, 2024 - 2pm