Winthrop Avenue Family historical Gardens

Introduction

The Winthrop Avenue Family Historical Garden was established by the City of Chicago 46th Ward, Uptown United and the surrounding community to recognize the founding families’ contribution to the Uptown neighborhood and to provide green development in an urban residential setting. The garden brings together the residential and commercial neighbors, building an oasis in one of Chicago’s most densely populated neighborhoods.

Events

Past Events

Upcoming Events

Summer Garden Fun: August 2010

Fall Festival: October 2010

History/Background

In the mid-2000s, the idea of transforming several vacant parcels of land into a community greenspace on the narrow 4600 block of North Winthrop took shape.

The decision to recognize and celebrate the earlier stakeholders of this block--the Winthrop Avenue Family--and their unique story was an easy decision.

The Uptown neighborhood is known for its rich, dynamic history and its mingling of cultures and customs.  In the pre-World War II days of restrictive land convenants and legal segregation, the 4600 block of Winthrop Avenue was the only Uptown block available to African Americans to live. Over the decades, however, the neighbors developed tightknit relationships. Although only one resident from those decades remain, the result was a large extended family that still gathers and refers to themselves The Winthrop Avenue Family.

With the formal dedication of the Winthrop Avenue Family Garden in Fall 2009, the Family’s story will continue with their ongoing involvement with current residents of the block in their efforts to plant and harvest the offerings of this community project.

More details and resources coming soon (summer 2010)

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Acknowledgments
The Winthrop Avenue Historical Garden could not have been established without the support and dedication of the community.  It is because of the generosity of the following people and groups that the garden has been able to thrive. Uptown United would like to recognize their contribution and say Thank You.

Alderman Helen Shiller, 46th Ward Alternatives, Inc. Volunteers Bakija, Jen Baumgartner, Debbie Blaise, Michilla Brown, Earline Brown, Lena Brown, Edye Cappleman, James Carpenter, Dick City of Chicago, Dept of Transportation City of Chicago   City of Chicago, Dept of Environment   Clark, Cheryl Cleanslate Volunteers Cole, Joe Coney, Jimmy Davis, Derrick Dugan, Time Gall, Judy Greencorp GreenNet  Hamann, Sally Hitchcock Design Group       House of Prayer

Iyanze      JP-USA Volunteers Leibov, Brad Lockridge, Emilie Loewe, Jacqueline Lorenz, Tonia McCormick Boys and Girls Club Volunteers MDT Architects Neighborspace   Nowotny, Don Pounds, Jon Pratt, Elizabeth Rozak, Wally Rozak, Elizabeth Schenkier, Jed Seeds of Joy Daycare Shuman, Valery Smith, Shannon Thai Uptown Restaurant       Thale, Richard Thompson, Pat Truman Square Block Club Uremovich, Thor Watkins, Carima Weiner, Margaret

 

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