Ridge Historical Society

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 new exhibit showcases the rich legacy of architect H. H. Waterman who designed and built a number of homes on the Ridge starting in the 1890s – including the Eugene S. Pike House, one the edge of the Dan Ryan Woods that a new foundation is working to save. The exhibit includes architectural photographs by Mati Maldre. Additional exhibit materials include and overview of the Graver-Driscoll House and the original client.