October in Chicago means Open House Chicago, and this year was no exception. After 2020 only featuring sites visitors could view from the exterior, 2021 allowed a return to touring inside buildings across the city and near suburbs. Being fully vaccinated and missing exploring my city, I went out to see a handful of sites in spite of my anxiety about being around strangers for the first time since the pandemic began. I certainly didn’t regret it! We stopped at sites in Logan Square, Wicker Park, Fulton Market, and Back of the Yards, and the current functions of these buildings ranged from comedy clubs to schools to green business incubators. It felt good to get out, enjoy the city, and take some photographs.
Open House Chicago 2019
This fall marked another fantastic Open House Chicago weekend. It has been challenging to plan and spend all weekend visiting sites in the last few years, due to grad school. Regardless, I had the chance to visit a number of sites with friends the day I was able to set aside for adventuring. We ended up biking around Garfield Park, the West Loop, Back of the Yards, Bronzeville, and made a pitstop in Chinatown for a snack. The variety of sites - their function, aesthetic, and age - made for an interesting blend, and it felt great to take some photographs for myself! I’m looking forward to next year and exploring more of this amazing city!