The Forum (Chicago) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The Forum
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 Location in Chicago metropolitan area
Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 318-328 E. 43rd St. Chicago, Illinois |
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| Built | 1897 |
| Architect | Samuel Atwater Treat |
| Architectural style | Late Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 100003646 |
| Added to NRHP | April 16, 2019 |
The Forum is a historic building in Chicago, Illinois. It is located in the Bronzeville neighborhood. It was built in 1897 to be a place for social and political meetings.
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What is The Forum?
A Chicago leader named William Kent and his father built The Forum. Architect Samuel Atwater Treat designed the building. He used a style called Late Classical Revival. It also has features from Georgian Revival architecture. In its first years, The Forum was a busy place. It hosted speeches and rallies for politicians. Many different community events also happened there.
A Place for Important Meetings
In the 1920s, many African Americans moved to Chicago. This big move was called the Great Migration. Bronzeville became a neighborhood mainly for African Americans. The Forum stayed a very important community center.
The Forum and Civil Rights
Many groups working for civil rights met at The Forum. These groups wanted equal rights for everyone. The Chicago council of the National Negro Congress met there. A group defending the Scottsboro Boys also held meetings. Other groups worked to allow African American players in Major League Baseball. Even the Freedom Riders had a meeting at The Forum.
Music and Community Fun
The Forum was also a popular place for jazz music. Famous Chicago musicians played there often. These included Nat King Cole and Tiny Parham. In the 1940s, The Forum became the main office for a group called the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World. This was a Black fraternal organization. It was created because the other Elks group only allowed white members.
A Historic Landmark
The Forum is a very important building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 16, 2019. This means it is recognized as a special place in history.
