Join us for an engaging evening at Saint Ignatius College Prep, a distinguished institution listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception in the new wing, where a collection of architectural artifacts will be on display.
Saint Ignatius College Prep, designed by Canadian architect Toussaint Menard in the Second Empire style, opened its doors in 1870. Notably, the original building is one of only five structures in Chicago that predate the Great Fire of 1871. The school has grown from its humble beginnings on two acres to a sprawling 26-acre campus, located just 1.5 miles southwest of Chicago’s Loop, adjacent to the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Following the reception, attendees will embark on a tour of the historic areas of the campus, including unique spaces such as the 1887-88 Brunswick Room, featuring exquisite cabinets and woodwork from the Brunswick Company, the Foglia Library, and the “Chicago gallery” of architectural artifacts in the Driehaus building.
We will also be joined by Ellen Skerrett, an esteemed author and historian, who is currently writing a book on the rich history of St. Ignatius. This event promises to be both informative and inspiring, celebrating the legacy of a Chicago Landmark designated in 1987.