As the season changes, our summer weather slowly is getting cooler. While it’s still pleasant, check out some of the area’s timeless homes and gardens. Evanston has a rich cultural history immersed in art and architecture. Take some time to appreciate the history and fine beauty you’ll find right around the corner. Here is a short list of local attractions that you won’t want to overlook.

1. Northwestern University Sculpture Garden and Gallery
   1967 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201
   847-491-2300

   The Sculpture Garden of Northwestern University’s Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art constitutes one of the most significant groupings of modern sculpture in the region. In 1987, Leigh Block, bequested a large group of outdoor bronze sculptures to the museum. These pieces formed the core of the collection, which now features monumental sculptures by some of the 20th century’s most renowned European and American sculptors. In 1989, the Block Museum opened its Sculpture Garden with nine of the monumental bronzes donated by Block. The Sculpture Garden was designed by Chicago architect John Vinci and has grown to 22 pieces. Located on the University’s Evanston campus, it is open year-round. Free Block Sculpture Garden Tours are available by appointment only. For more information about the Sculpture Garden call (847) 491-4852.

2. Noyes Cultural Arts Center
   927 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL 60201
   847-491-0266
   www.cityofevanston.org/departments/parks/news/noyes_art_exhitibitons.shtml

   Noyes Cultural Arts Center is the home of the City of Evanston’s Cultural Arts Division, which manages major art festivals, art camps. Arts Week, and Cultural Fund Grants. The historic building is also home to many arts organizations and artists including:  Piven Theater; Art Encounter; Actors Gymnasium; Light Opera Works; Next Theatre Company; Figurative Art League; and Halstead School of Portrait and Figure Art. There is a full stage at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center that seats 190 people with two galleries. The galleries exhibit local artists, with exhibitions changing every two months. For an updated program, please view the link above.

3. Charles Gates Daves House
   225 Greenwood Street, Evanston, IL 60201
   847-475-3410
   www.evanstonhistorical.org

   Built in 1894 this mansion was the former home of Vice President Dawes.  Designed in the Chatequesque style, the varicolored orange and tan brick exterior with red sandstone trim, three and 1/2 stories, and terra cotta hip roof. There are 25 rooms with six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and 12 fireplaces. The public can view the first two floors that feature: great hall, east parlor, west parlor, library, dining room, 1/2 bath, kitchen, day room and butler’s pantry and second floor: with family and guest bedrooms, manuscript room, den, bathrooms. The third floor, which is used for storage, is not open to the public.

4. Frances Willard House
   1730 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
   847 328 7500
   www.franceswillardhouse.org

   Frances Willard was one of the most prominent social reformers in 19th century America. As president of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union from 1879 until 1898, Willard rallied support for temperance as well as many other important reform movements including woman’s suffrage, women’s economic and religious rights, prison reforms, education reforms and labor reforms. The Frances Willard Historical Association invites visitors to tour the Frances Willard House and learn about her life and work.

Tags: attractions, Evanston, gardens

This entry was posted on Friday, September 12th, 2008 at 9:00 am and is filed under Grand Bend @ Green Bay. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.