A Grand Monument on Lincoln Park
If you want to see this:
[Reception Hall, Elks National Memorial /Image & Artwork: designslinger]
You have to enter this...
[Elks National Memorial, 2750 N. Lakeview, Chicago, July 13, 2009 /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
....the Elks National Memorial on Lakeview Avenue at Diversey, across from Lincoln Park.
[Rotunda, Elks Memorial, Egerton Swartwout, architect, 1924 /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
Construction on the building began in 1924 after a nationwide competition supervised by
the American Institute of Architects. The winner was Egerton Swartwout, a name that could have come from a Charles Dickens novel. But Swartwout was real, and judged to be the architect who best fulfilled the mandate of the Elks organization, which was to design memorial to members who'd lost their lives during WWI, as well as providing a building to house the administrative offices of the national headquarters, which were to be located in Chicago. Read more about the Order of the Elks here.
[Justice, James Earle Fraser; Mural, Eugene Francis Savage /Image & Artwork: dsignslinger]
Five countries and four states provided the marble for the interior, artists Eugene Savage
and Edwin Blashfield painted the murals, and sculptor James Fraser created the four, gilded bronze statues that occupy the niches in the rotunda hall representing Brotherly Love, Fidelity, Justice and Charity.
[Chandelier, Anteroom, Grand Reception Hall /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
Every decorative element was made of the finest materials, from the crystal chandeliers,
to the Wedgewood ceiling.
[Grand Reception Hall, ceiling murals, Eugene Savage /Images & Artwork: designslinger]
Although the Rotunda is a pretty awesome entry space, the Grand Reception Hall is even
more amazing. I felt like I was standing in the drawing room of a European royal palace. With walls and columns of rare woods - gilded ornamentation surrounding themed, painted murals in the coffered ceiling - brass and crystal chandeliers and sconces - and Oriental rugs on the floor - the Hall is a tribute to exquisite craftsmanship and design.
[Rotunda ceiling, detail; Reflection of art glass windows in the Rotunda's marble floor /Images & Artwork:
designslinger]
When I lived in Chicago years ago, the Elks building was very mysterious. It wasn't open
to the general public back then, but today a sign at the sidewalk entry invites everyone inside for a look. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see the interior of this majestic building, I lived just around the corner before moving to LA, and always wanted to peek inside. The elderly gentleman sitting at the small desk just beyond the door told me that it's hard to keep the building open because there is a limited number of staff available to keep watch on the public as they walk through the rooms. Apparently few people stop in, so please, if you have a chance, visit the memorial, and take in all its visual magnificence in person: 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, at Diversey and Lincoln Park.
You have to enter this...
....the Elks National Memorial on Lakeview Avenue at Diversey, across from Lincoln Park.
Construction on the building began in 1924 after a nationwide competition supervised by
the American Institute of Architects. The winner was Egerton Swartwout, a name that could have come from a Charles Dickens novel. But Swartwout was real, and judged to be the architect who best fulfilled the mandate of the Elks organization, which was to design memorial to members who'd lost their lives during WWI, as well as providing a building to house the administrative offices of the national headquarters, which were to be located in Chicago. Read more about the Order of the Elks here.
Five countries and four states provided the marble for the interior, artists Eugene Savage
and Edwin Blashfield painted the murals, and sculptor James Fraser created the four, gilded bronze statues that occupy the niches in the rotunda hall representing Brotherly Love, Fidelity, Justice and Charity.
Every decorative element was made of the finest materials, from the crystal chandeliers,
to the Wedgewood ceiling.
Although the Rotunda is a pretty awesome entry space, the Grand Reception Hall is even
more amazing. I felt like I was standing in the drawing room of a European royal palace. With walls and columns of rare woods - gilded ornamentation surrounding themed, painted murals in the coffered ceiling - brass and crystal chandeliers and sconces - and Oriental rugs on the floor - the Hall is a tribute to exquisite craftsmanship and design.
designslinger]
When I lived in Chicago years ago, the Elks building was very mysterious. It wasn't open
to the general public back then, but today a sign at the sidewalk entry invites everyone inside for a look. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see the interior of this majestic building, I lived just around the corner before moving to LA, and always wanted to peek inside. The elderly gentleman sitting at the small desk just beyond the door told me that it's hard to keep the building open because there is a limited number of staff available to keep watch on the public as they walk through the rooms. Apparently few people stop in, so please, if you have a chance, visit the memorial, and take in all its visual magnificence in person: 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, at Diversey and Lincoln Park.
Posted by designslinger at 7/28/2009 2:07 AM 
Categories: Architecture, History, Art, Decorative Arts
Tags: Egerton Swartwout Edwin Howland Blashfield James Earle Fraser Elks National Memorial Eugene Francis Savage
Categories: Architecture, History, Art, Decorative Arts
Tags: Egerton Swartwout Edwin Howland Blashfield James Earle Fraser Elks National Memorial Eugene Francis Savage
Great post and beautiful architecture. I will stumble it right now.
So glad you liked the posting, Carlos. And many thanks for the stumble!