Special Collections has a wide range of historical book and manuscript collections on political topics.
The Places They Went: Historical Travel in Special Collections
Explore rare, early 19th century traveler's tales in Chicago Public Library's Special Collections at Harold Washington Library Center.
Soap Opera: Chicago’s Meatpackers Created Bath Products
Chicago meatpacker Armour & Company created a range of soap and personal bathing products as evidenced by a sales catalog from around 1910.
Civil War Hit Songs Originated in Chicago
Chicago music publishers Root & Cady and H.M. Higgins created many of the most popular songs of the Civil War, including the "Battle Cry of Freedom," "On, On, On, The Boys Came Marching!" and "Babylon Is Fallen!"
Operation Breadbasket: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Northern Legacy
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Chicago Public Library looks at the legacy of Chicago's Operation Breadbasket, a program that Dr. King described as the most successful program of his Northern Campaign, through archival collections.
Remembering Rev. Clay Evans
Legendary Chicago minister, gospel artist and Civil Rights leader, Rev. Clay Evans, dies Wednesday, November 27 at 94.
Historical Holiday Treats: A Taste from Special Collections
Chicagoans, the holidays are upon us! It's time to preheat the ovens, stock up on sugary sprinkles and break out the gelatin molds. Let's investigate holiday treats from years past using materials in Special Collections. The recipe compilers of The Old Town Dawn Until Dawn Cookbook perhaps best sum up our collective experience in the…
Historical Home Repair: A Peek at Chicago’s Past
Summer is finally here. How's your home project to-do list looking? It's estimated that over 300,000 homes in Chicago were built before 1919. Today, that likely means maintenance and repair. Whether you're looking to restore or re-create the historical features of your house or have the do-it-yourself spirit of Joseph and Lydia Schmidt, who renovated…
Chicago’s Women of Gospel Music
Chicago was influential in the beginning of gospel music, and women were part of gospel from the beginning. CPL has numerous resources to help you discover more about some of these magnificent Chicago women, past and present. Often the first name to come to mind for Chicagoans is Mahalia Jackson. Let's meet a few of…
Gospel Music in Special Collections: I’ll Take You There
On September 16, 1966, the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place came alive with the Gospel Festival Spectacular. "Spectacular" is undoubtedly the word today’s gospel music lovers would use to describe this lineup. Among the featured groups to join the Rev. Clay Evans and his 150-voice Fellowship Radio Choir were the Rev. James Cleveland Singers…
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