Ridge Historical Society
Graver-Driscoll House
Address
10621 S. Seeley Ave.
The Ridge Historical Society is set back off of Seeley Avenue and not very visible from the street. Visitors should park on Seeley and enter though the driveway between the columns.
Neighborhood
Hours
Sat, Oct 14: 10am - 5pm
Sun, Oct 15: 10am - 5pm
Architect/Year
John T. Hetherington, 1922
Website
Description
The Ridge Historical Society preserves and interprets the history of the Beverly Hills, Morgan Park, Washington Heights and Mount Greenwood communities. Since the 1970s, the group has operated out of the Graver-Driscoll House, originally designed for homebuilder Herbert Graver in 1922. The house is situated on the Blue Island Ridge, a railroad-adjacent natural elevation that attracted the development of large homes and mansions to the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Architect John T. Hetherington, known for designing other graceful period revival houses nearby, intended this brick and stone Tudor Revival-style residence to nestle into the sloping hillside. The property features walkout terraces and elegant landscaping.
A short exterior tour led by RHS board members will be offered (weather permitting) of the Graver-Driscoll House and will cover the design and history of the house, the Blue Island Ridge, the Ridge Historical Society, and current restoration efforts.
Tours are offered every half hour, from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm (final tour) both days. The tour will begin in the grass circle of the driveway in front of the door when entering from Seeley Ave.
Visitor Experience
Visitors can explore the grounds and first floor spaces, which include the main exhibition space where the "Louise Barwick's Lost Ridge" exhibit will be on view.
Short exterior tours will be offered every half hour, with details on the house, current restoration efforts and the families who resided there.
Categories
Historic Home , Open Saturday , Open Sunday , Photography Permitted , Washrooms Available