June 11, 2009 Thursday **Jane Addams’ Hull House**

original chandalier in Hull House

decorative window in original Hull House

described as first painting by a woman

birth of sociology and the study of poverty

erroneous description of Jane Addams by FBI

Chicago and Illinois progressive in voting for women

Hull House farm, victory garden, inner city garden

The world needs more Jane Addams. Ms. Addams made enough contributions for 20, 30, or 40 people. I have the picture of the light fixture because she shed light on the very being of people. She changed lives from the inside out. The windows are beautiful and serviceable, as was the work of Jane Addams. She provided for the physical, emotional, and social needs of adults and children. Ms. Addams gave light to the soul; she gave people hope and showed them the way. I know in the present day some people do not want to hear the word “hope”, but it is definitely applicable when speaking of Ms. Addams. She treated the whole person.

The painting was described as the first painting by a woman. I would like to have more details as to why and how it came to Hull House. I like the subject of the painting. It somewhat summarizes what Hull House accomplished. The mother is nurturing, caring, and providing all the needs of her infant. She is doing this willingly and enjoying it. I like to think of Ms. Addams as the mother. She is the mother of many movements and all of them are humanitarian.

The poster accusing Ms. Addams as the most dangerous woman is absolutely accurate, if being dangerous means providing education, food, and support. Of course if J. Edgar Hoover is making the accusation then one can be sure she is innocent. How can people be so afraid of someone who is doing only good for individuals and society. Kudos to Chicago and the state of Illinois for their progressive action in allowing women to vote before other states in America.

Now we come to the garden or farm. Not only was Hull House feeding people but feeding them organically. Part of Ms. Addams greatness is how thorough she was and the caliber of her support. She did not make excuses but when she saw a need she sought and created a solution. Ms. Addams had a philosophy that the world could benefit from such as bio diversity contributing to cultural diversity to make the world healthy physically and mentally. What better motto than strive for the solidarity of all people. People with problems are the people with the solutions. Her desire was a peaceful and more balanced society.

I salute you and your efforts, Jane Addams.

June 10, 2009 Wednesday **Frank Lloyd Wright**

Frank Lloyd House with signature ribbon windows, nature, trail of discovery

1893 Columbian Exposition – Museum of Science and Industry – White City

The Zephyr – Museum of Science and Industry

DuSable Museum of African American History

Oriental Institute-bull from Iran

Frank Lloyd House with signature ribbon windows, nature, trail of discovery

1893 Columbian Exposition – Museum of Science and Industry – White City

The Zephyr – Museum of Science and Industry

DuSable Museum of African American History

Oriental Institute-bull from Iran

This was a fun, run day. First we did the Frank Lloyd Wright House and walking tour, next the Museum of Science and Industry, then the African American Museum, followed finally with the Oriental Institute. Oops, I almost forgot. We stopped at the Seminary Co-op Store. I got just the book I needed. Interesting spot. What an exciting day!

At the Chicago History Museum we saw Ida B. Wells passing out pamphlets at the L station because Blacks had been overlooked at the 1893 World’s Fair. She passed out information about the accomplishments of Blacks. Today, at the DuSable Museum, I learned that only one African American was officially represented at the fair and that was Frederick Douglass. Mr. Douglass was the diplomat to Haiti (1891-1893) and was the overseer of the Haitian Pavillion. He was will informed concerning Haitian culture and history. He opened the pavillion with a powerful speech of how the slave colony in Haiti had turned the tables and produced an independent republic.

The section of the museum, Africa Speaks, showed a video narrated by Nelson Mandela of ceremony of circumcision. I witnessed the circumcision of Mr. Mandela’s grandson. The ritual is performed for sixteen year old males. Mr. Mandela also explain how he felt and reacted the day of his ritual circumcision.

In the Frank Lloyd Wright houses, I especially liked he windows. Glass windows played a big part in Mr. Wright’s style of organic architecture. He produced balance by using the lightness of glass with the heaviness of brick and stone. Mr. Wright was not the first architects to use glass but he used it extensively in very nontraditional ways. He used glass to make space appear larger than it really was, manipulated glass to bring nature inside, and created art forms in his use of glass. He must have enjoyed his work, or creations tremendously.

For my students, I am filling my bag with new stories.