Ridge Historical Society

Step into the world of Jack Simmerling (1935-2013), a beloved Chicago artist, historian, and preservationist whose life’s work was dedicated to capturing the soul of the city’s architecture. As a teenager, Simmerling documented and painted the vanishing grandeur and ruin of the Victorian-era residences on Prairie Avenue, salvaging what he could from them as they were demolished.

The exhibit “Jack Simmerling: Through His Eyes” at Ridge Historical Society traces his development from those early Prairie Avenue days through to some of the last drawings of his own neighborhood, Beverly Hills – Morgan Park, where he opened The Heritage Gallery in 1959. The exhibit was produced in partnership with Glessner House and includes many Prairie Avenue artworks and artifacts from its Jack Simmerling Collection.

Simmerling believed that “much of what’s most beautiful about architecture is in the details.” This exhibit reflects that idea, allowing visitors to see the architecture in his own community. His drawings and watercolors of homes, churches, and architectural vignettes of the community help visitors see Beverly Hills – Morgan Park through the artist’s eyes.

“Jack Simmerling: Through His Eyes” opens to the public on October 18, 2025, at Ridge Historical Society, 10621 S. Seeley Ave, Chicago, IL. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Chicago’s architectural heritage through the remarkable vision of Jack Simmerling.