Whose House? The Widow Clarke, Bishop Ford and the Story of Chicago's Oldest Residence

The 1835 Clarke House is Chicago’s oldest standing residence. Join CAC for a conversation about the house and opportunities to broaden the stories they tell about Chicagoans and our beloved city landmarks.

The Henry B. Clarke House survives thanks to the decades-long stewardship of Bishop Henry Ford and the St. Paul Church of God in Christ, who purchased the house in 1941. The house is a symbol of Black achievement and community resourcefulness, though the official record downplays this critical chapter in the building’s history.Our evening will feature Pastor Kevin Anthony Ford, discussing his grandfather’s experience as the long-time steward of the Henry B. Clarke House, along with the St. Paul Church of God in Christ congregation. He will address the campaign to add the Ford surname to the property's title and expand the interpretation program to better include his family’s role in preserving the property.There is a broader context for the work that is currently being done to expand the story of the Clarke House. In 2017, the National Trust for Historic Preservation established the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. The goal of this campaign is to preserve and protect places that have been overlooked in American history and represent centuries of African American activism, achievement and resilience. Tiffany Tolbert, Associate Director of the Fund, will also be joining us to talk about the initiative on local and national levels.This program celebrates National Preservation Month, celebrating our heritage through historic sites.

$15 public, $7 CAC Members