Harper Memorial Library, Chicago
Dominating the skyline with its twin imposing towers, this library, established in 1912, showcases remarkable Gothic architectural elements, drawing inspiration from renowned Oxford institutions like Christ Church College and Magdalen College, as well as King's College in Cambridge. Notably, its expansive size allows for the inclusion of research centers alongside its regular collections, encompassing resources dedicated to East and South Asian materials, as well as an extensive map collection, all open for visitors to explore. Beyond books and related printed materials, the library also houses an art collection featuring diverse exhibits, spanning subjects such as the University's history, Black history and culture, the ideological contrasts between North and South Korea, and more.
This edifice played a pivotal role as the initial significant component in the southern cluster of buildings facing the Midway. Its placement was a result of a comprehensive campus plan devised in 1902, which aimed to centralize the humanities and social sciences buildings in the southern part of the quadrangles, transitioning them from residential to academic use. As subsequent buildings within the plan were finished (the last one in 1929), second-story bridges were added to link the library to reading rooms and department libraries.
Visitors can venture into the third-floor reading room, a grand space distinguished by a row of arched, double-height windows on its exterior. Look for the university's coat of arms, designed during this period to be included in the room's overall iconography alongside emblems of other esteemed institutions. Crossing the bridge leads to another reading room within Stuart Hall, which has been modernized but retains an intricate ceiling.
This edifice played a pivotal role as the initial significant component in the southern cluster of buildings facing the Midway. Its placement was a result of a comprehensive campus plan devised in 1902, which aimed to centralize the humanities and social sciences buildings in the southern part of the quadrangles, transitioning them from residential to academic use. As subsequent buildings within the plan were finished (the last one in 1929), second-story bridges were added to link the library to reading rooms and department libraries.
Visitors can venture into the third-floor reading room, a grand space distinguished by a row of arched, double-height windows on its exterior. Look for the university's coat of arms, designed during this period to be included in the room's overall iconography alongside emblems of other esteemed institutions. Crossing the bridge leads to another reading room within Stuart Hall, which has been modernized but retains an intricate ceiling.
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Harper Memorial Library on Map
Sight Name: Harper Memorial Library
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chicago, Illinois
Create Your Own Walk in Chicago
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chicago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chicago Navy Pier Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
University of Chicago Walking Tour
Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago is among the world鈥檚 most prestigious educational institutions. As of 2020, the University鈥檚 students, faculty and staff have included 100 Nobel laureates, giving it the fourth-most affiliated Nobel laureates of any university.
Set in the heart of Chicago鈥檚 famous eclectic neighborhood, Hyde Park, the campus is worth a visit as it offers a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Set in the heart of Chicago鈥檚 famous eclectic neighborhood, Hyde Park, the campus is worth a visit as it offers a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture Tour in Oak Park
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Chicago Introduction Walking Tour
Chicago, perched on the shores of Lake Michigan in Illinois, is a city steeped in history and urban vibrancy. Known by numerous nicknames such as the Windy City and the City of Big Shoulders, it boasts a skyline marked by towering structures. The area of today's Chicago, initially inhabited by Native American tribes, saw its first European-settled reference as "Chicagou" in 1679, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Loop District Architecture Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour
The city of Chicago is renowned for its outdoor green spaces. One such 鈥渇orever free and open鈥� space, is called Grant Park and was established in 1844. In fact, upon foundation, it was called Lake Park, but was renamed in 1901 after the American Civil War General and United States President, Ulysses S. Grant.
Popularly referred to as 鈥淐hicago's front lawn,鈥� this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Popularly referred to as 鈥淐hicago's front lawn,鈥� this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
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