South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Council

South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Council Promotes community interest & participation in the activities of the Cultural Center by developing community engagement.

The building was originally designed as an exclusive and restrictive private club, the South Shore Country Club, by the architectural firm of (Benjamin) Marshall and Fox. These architects, renowned for their hotel and apartment building designs throughout the Chicago-land area, are best known for their design of the Drake and Blackstone Hotels. They constructed the original structure, the South Sh

ore Club House in 1906 in the Italian Resort Style resembling a summer palace. Of the original structure, the only remaining portion is the ballroom (now Robeson Theater) on the south end of the existing cultural center. In 1916, after the membership expanded and the building became socially important, the old clubhouse was moved to the south section of the grounds and became the golf club (no longer in existence.) For decades the South Shore Country Club was a playground for Chicago's rich and famous. In the 1960's, the club could not adapt to the times (failing to vote to open up to all who could pay, and also to changing leisure lifestyle ways) and was abandoned and fell into disrepair. Over the next few years the biracial Coalition to Save the South Shore Country Club pushed to have the club restored. In 1974, the Chicago Park District purchased the club and renovated it using the interior color schemes developed by the original architects Marshall and Fox. The Park District eventually developed a plan under a unique three-party agreement which included the Coalition to Save the South Shore Country Club. The latter was a city-wide group of arts organizations, historical preservationists, and community groups formed to campaign against the proposed demolition and to demand the establishment of a major cultural center. Faced with concerted and highly vocal opposition to its plans, the Park district withdrew its request for demolition in 1978 and eventually secured funds for renovation of the lower floors and the exterior of the main club house. The idea of developing a cultural center was actively resisted by the district and languished until after the election of Mayor Harold Washington, who appointed Park District board members who encouraged community participation in the management of the parks and to take seriously the consent decree to treat all parts of the city the same.

Happening tomorrow!! REGISTER and Join us in South Shore!!
07/29/2026

Happening tomorrow!! REGISTER and Join us in South Shore!!

We're looking for someone who believes every young person has a story worth telling. South Shore Cultural Center is seek...
07/27/2026

We're looking for someone who believes every young person has a story worth telling. South Shore Cultural Center is seeking a Podcast Coordinator & Media Mentor to lead a 10-week youth program for teens 13-18. 🎙️🎧⭐️

06/24/2026
06/17/2026

South Shore we have 2 movies in the Parks nights coming soon!! Check out the Chicago Park District link for the dates!

THANKS to our city's visionaries!
06/17/2026

THANKS to our city's visionaries!

In the late 1800s, the downtown Chicago lakefront was a disgusting dumping ground filled with trash, squatters, and makeshift buildings.

The city's elite politicians and greedy developers saw a goldmine.

They hatched a plan to pave over the shoreline, selling off the prime real estate to the highest bidders to build massive private
warehouses, railyards, and mansions.

But one incredibly wealthy businessman looked out his office window and decided to wage an all-out legal war against his own city to stop them.

His name was Aaron Montgomery Ward.

He had just invented the mail-order catalog, making him one of the wealthiest men in America.

Instead of joining the corrupt developers, Ward dug up a nearly forgotten 1836 legal decree that stated the lakefront must remain "forever open, clear and free."

Using his own massive personal fortune, he sued the city of Chicago—and the wealthiest developers in the world—a staggering 70 times.

He was viciously mocked in the newspapers, threatened by politicians, and labeled an enemy of progress.

The brutal legal battles dragged on for 20 years. He fought them all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court four separate times.

He never backed down.

In 1910, the court finally ruled in his favor, permanently banning developers from ever privatizing or blocking the downtown lakefront.

Today, Ward is known as the "Watchdog of the Lakefront."

Next time you are walking through Millennium Park, Grant Park, or the Museum Campus, taking in that unobstructed, breathtaking view of Lake Michigan, you have one stubborn, "hated" billionaire to thank.

06/12/2026

Get ready for an amazing night of music! 🎶 The South Shore Opera Company is present

i🎷🎸🪗 "LET THE FREEDOM SING" 🎷🪗🎸🎻

DATE: June 16, 2026,
TIME: 7 PM.
VENUE: SOUTH SHORE CULTURAL CENTER
7059 SOUTH SHIRE DRIVE CHICAGO

FREE ADMISSION ‼️✅️
GRAB YOUR TICKETS AT 👇👇👇
www.southshoreopera.org

It's going to be a powerful and inspiring performance that you won't want to miss. ✨ I'm so excited to experience the talent and artistry of this incredible company. Mark your calendars and prepare to be moved! 🤩 See you there!

🎨 Calling all Chicago artists, creators, and community visionaries! 🎨Show us what community means to YOU by designing th...
06/08/2026

🎨 Calling all Chicago artists, creators, and community visionaries! 🎨

Show us what community means to YOU by designing the next South Shore Cultural Center Park Advisory Council T-shirt! This is your chance to share your creativity, celebrate South Shore, and have your artwork featured for everyone to wear with pride. Like, Follow, Share ❤️

🔗Enter: https://forms.gle/PCeGhCzLUck3E1zk8
📅Submission deadline: July 3, 2026

05/28/2026

COMMUNITY PARTY AT THE SOUTH SHORE CULTURAL CENTER ‼️ 🕺💃 🎊 🎊 🎊

Join the South Shore Cultural Center Park Advisory Council for an exciting afternoon of music, culture, dance, and community connection on Friday, June 12 at the beautiful South Shore Cultural Center!

VENUE: South Shore Cultural Center
7059 S. South Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60649

TIME: 2:00 PM – 8:30 PM

This FREE family-friendly celebration is designed to bring neighbors, families, and friends together for an unforgettable community experience. Dress in your best party attire and come ready to enjoy an uplifting day filled with entertainment, engagement, and celebration.

✨ EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

🎹 Piano in the Park – Live piano performances

🎧 Music by DJ Tony

💃 Dance instruction by Lamar Roseburger

🥁 Live drumming by Malik the Drummer

🤝 Community engagement activities throughout the day

THIS PROJECT IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

THE LANDMARKS ILLINOIS, TIMOTHY W. BLACK JR. FUND GRANT PROGRAM.

🔗 Stay Connected:
Citywide Chicago Park District Events:

[https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events](https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events)

South Shore Cultural Center Events:
[https://ww.southshoreculturalcenteradvisorycouncil.org/](https://www.southshoreculturalcenteradvisorycouncil.org/)

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our community and the South Shore Cultural Center Park Advisory Council.

SouthShoreCulturalCenter CommunityEngagement FamilyFun CultureAndCommunity ChicagoParks

Address

7059 S South Shore Drive
Chicago, IL
60649

Telephone

+17732560149

Website

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