Ida B. Wells Barnett House

This is the house that Ida B. Wells resided in. Located at 3624 S. Martin Luther King, this house is expressive and impressive. It is a 19th Century Romanesque Revival Stone residence. Ms. Wells fought to end lynchings through her writings and economic depression for African Americans in the community.

She is also the precursor to Rosa Parks because at 22 as a teacher in Mississippi, she refused to sit in a segregated train car and ignored the conductor. She was forcibly removed but later she filed a lawsuit against the railroad company and won. However, in 1887 the railroad company appealed and won causing Ms. Barnett to have to pay back $500.00 plus $200.00 for costs to the company.

She also spoke up against the racism of segregated schools in Mississippi by writing about it in black newspapers. Her boss fired her because of this. She then went into writing for newspapers full time.

Her house stands as a testament to her strength and determination.

Real Celebrities From Bronzeville

This video of Miki Howard shows the genuis that comes out of the Southside of Chicago. This documentary shows her growing up in Bronzeville and how a history of Gospel music and R&B greats have come from this area. ENJOY!!

Another Look At Bronzville

Bronzeville's history is rich with the story of the lives of many great African Americans. It's legacy extends beyond it's community. Take a look at these videos and learn a little bit more about the people who were a part of Bronzeville today and yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlTawAnLmNI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUbeeZdXkOY

Art Galleries and the Bronzeville Center

Gallery Guichard

African Americans have always been in the forefront on culture in America but unfortunately have not always been recognized for their efforts. Gallery Guichard is a new art gallery in the Bronzeville area hoping to put an end to that cycle.. Gallery Guichard prefers to cater to the African Diaspora and African American Artists. It highlights new artists as well as past African Americans.

Another surprise and bright spot in Bronzeville is the Bronzeville Center. Everything Bronzeville can be found here including books and photographs of ancestory. Make this a stop on your visit and you won't be disappointed.

Watch the movie

Here is a link also that gives you more history on Bronzeville

Chicago History Museum

BRONZEVILLE, A HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SUCCESS

Take a video pictorial look at Bronzeville:

Welcome to the City of Chicago and our community known as Bronzeville or the "Black Metropolis" because many blacks managed to own and operate successful business during very turbulent times of racism.

Bronzevillle has a long history beginning in 1179 when the first Chicago resident Jean Baptist Point DuSable, a french and haitian fur trader, migrated here. Later during the 1900's many blacks came from the south to the north to find opportunity and many eventually migrated to Bronzeville.

A Southside Community with a mostly African American population it has numerous historical landmarks and places to see. It stretches from 26th street south to 67th street.

Click on this link to see a Map of Bronzeville Places to See

Famous Landmarks and Places to See in Bronzeville:

The Southside Community Art Center - 3831 S. Michigan
What's in the Southside Community Art Center is not going to be in your average history book. It has a fireplace that makes it cozy and art classes are taught on the 2nd floor. Many well known African American's work has graced this building including valuable pieces from people like Charles White, Henry Avery, Archibald Motley Jr., and Marian Perkins. Some of the Artists like Archibald Motley, attended the Art Institute of Chicago, and included European, Asian, and Mexican muralists influence in their style.

Chicago Bee Building - 3647 So. State
Built by entrepreneur Anthony Overton, one of the first African Americans to start a paper in Chicago, this building was architecturally designed in 1920's art deco.

Former Chicago Defender Building - 3435 So. Indiana
This building was formerly a synagogue. The Chicago Defender is one of the oldest and only black weekly newspapers in the city.


Pilgrim Baptist Church - 3301 So. Indiana
This building was also once a synagogue that became a church. It's architects were the famous engineer Dankmar Adler and Frank Lloyd Wrights mentor, Louis Sullivan.

Eighth Regiment Armory - 3533 So. Giles
First armory in the U.S. built for an African American Military regiment.

Sunset Cafe - 315 E. 35th Street
Earliest and most well-known jazz venue in the 1920's and has now become a hardware store.



Victory Monument - 35th King Drive
The monument erected in 1928 for the men of the Eighth Regiment of the Illinois National Guard.

Supreme Life Building - 3501 So. King Drive
Headquarters of the first African American owned and operated insurance company.

Other Places to see related to African American Southside History

The Bronzeville Children's Museum
9301 So. Stony Island

Harold Washington Cultural Center
4701 So. Martin Luther King Drive

Negro League Cafe
301 E. 43rd Street

DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E. 56th Place

The Swift Mansion
4500 So. Michigan Avenue

Bronzeville 1st Bed & Breakfast
3911 So. King Drive

Spoken Word Cafe
4655 So. King Drive

Hall Branch Library - First African American Librarian
4801 So. Michigan

Places to Eat:

Simply Salads & Sandwiches
635 E 47th St, Chicago, IL Ain't She Sweet Cafe

Quench's
4653 So. Michigan

Websites for Chicago Activities:

http://www.explorechicago.org
http://www.timeoutchicago.org
http://www.chicagoparent.com
http://www.wherechicago.com
http://www.bluesheaven.com

Historical Photos

Another Place To Eat

Just before Mother's Day, I went to eat at the popular Papadeaux Seafood Restaurant and it was crowded. I can only imagine what Mother's Day looked like. I chose to review this restaurant because I wanted to take my mother on Mother's Day. She loves seafood and I thought I would surprise her, but after experiencing the crowd the day before, I quickly changed my mind--especially since you can't make reservations.

My guest and I waited for about 30 minutes for a table. We literally had to wait and watch other people eat to try and vie for a table. It's a lively place, I'll say that much.

Originally from Texas, Papadeaux has brought it's southern style dining to Westmont, IL and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It's a good seafood and steak restaurant but less of my taste because I'm not a big meat eater. However, I love to try new dishes but they have to have good taste too. I only go so far when it comes to food surprises and taste.

I ordered the shrimp scampi, one of my traditional favorites and the sauce was just a little bit too heavy and the shrimp had more batter than I would prefer. I've tried this dish at both the Cheescake Factory and Papadeaux's and neither has come close to the original taste of shrimp scampi from Red Lobster--that's where I had my first taste. I like my shrimp to be bold and brazen with flavor. I don't like masked flavor.

Papadeaux has a quaint, classy styled atmosphere. A waterfall is exhibited on your entrance inside the restaurant and I believe the outdoor cafe surrounds the waterfall.

The restaurant is a quick little jaunt outside of Chicago but if you like being surrounded by lots of people, original recipes and a somewhat homey atmosphere, then Papadeaux's is perfect for you. It also boasts offering cajun, mexican and steak as well as seafood.

I like lots of seasoning on my foods. I'm less impressed by food presentation. I'm not into original foods as much as I'm into the taste of foods I'm familiar with. Put a new spin on an old favorite, and you will always have my vote. Try out Papadeaux's the next time you're in our beloved state of Illinois--cause Texas ain't got nothin' on us.

Trying New Restaurants

So the other day I went out with a friend to try a new type of restaurant--Greek. Understand I've eaten Greek before but that was eons ago. In fact my new thing is to try a different restaurant in Chicago once a month--let's see how long this last.

Anyway, I went to Greek Islands Restaurant at 200 So. Halsted --a restaurant with a nice atmosphere and definitely with Greek cuisine. I tried a new dish--can't quite remember the name of it but it was cheese being flambeed right before your eyes. Fried cheese--interesting. It was good and I would certainly try it again.

What's unique about this restaurant is the nice fireplace in the bar area. Makes you warm and cozy. If you want to have a drink with a friend and chit-chat, and feel good all over, try Greek Islands.

Little Known Fact:
The interior of Greek Islands mimics a small Greek Fishing Market.