Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan
In 1868, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and his partner, Calvert Vaux, were commissioned to plan a unique community just west of Chicago, Illinois. The result was Riverside, a beautiful community along the Des Plaines River, complete with curving lanes, abundant greenery, and gas street lights. One hundred years later, the Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside was formed.
In 1970, Riverside was named a National Historic Landscape District.
Latest News
Presentation: Olmsted’s Riverside: Stewardship Meets Innovation in a Landmark Village
Riverside’s Cathy Maloney explores how Riverside’s layout and design presaged today’s urban planning goals of walkability, green space, public transportation access, sustainability, and resiliency.
[Read more…]Membership Renewal
Don’t delay…renew today!
[Read more…]Membership
If you are not yet a member you can join for 2024 today online! Renewals should visit our renewal page.
[Read more…]Annual Meeting 2025
Save the date! Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, January 17th at 7pm at Township Hall
[Read more…]Newsletters
Check out the 2024 Fall Newsletter today!
[Read more…]Tributes & Trees Program
The Olmsted Society is announcing “Tributes & Trees” a program where you can thank, memorialize, recognize or congratulate others – and enhance the landscape of our National Historic Landmark.
[Read more…]Presentation: Cultivating Space: Two New Books about Architecture and Landscape
Two Chicago authors and educators will offer new perspectives about trees and buildings. Tuesday, November 12th at the Riverside Public Library. Reservations required.
[Read more…]Native Plants and Living Soil and the Joys of Complexity in the Garden
Adrian Ayres Fisher, board member of West Cook Wild Ones, presented on March 23rd at the Riverside Public Library. A link to her talk, Native Plants and Living Soil and the Joys of Complexity in the Garden is now available.
[Read more…]Presentation: Spongy Moths & Cicadas: Facts & Fallacies
Dr. Frederic Miller of the Morton Arboretum and Riverside Village Forester Michael Collins explain why these fascinating insects are so destructive to trees and plants and what can be done to minimize the damage they cause. Video links to presentation now available!
[Read more…]Landscape Workdays 2024
Our 2024 Workday schedule has come to an end. See you next spring!
[Read more…]Vintage Baseball Game Hits Riverside
Vintage baseball is back in Riverside! On Sunday, August 4th at 1pm at the Big Ball Park.
[Read more…]Historic Walking Tours
Our 2024 Historic Walking Tours schedule has come to an end. Private tours are available by special request all year round.
[Read more…]Presentation: A History of Chicagoland in Maps
Join Donald and Tanya Smith, whose family has been involved in land surveying and map making since 1854, for a presentation Chicagoland history as told by survey maps. Hear stories about the Chicago Fire, Abe Lincoln, run-ins with the FBI, and more! See many historical maps, including a 1891 real estate map of Riverside!
[Read more…]Riverside – The History and the Mysteries
The beautiful Village of Riverside has a long history that might surprise you. Riverside’s past also has some associated mysteries. Link to Presentation Video now available.
[Read more…]FLOS Planting Day: April 27, 2024
The weather was perfect on Saturday, April 27th, to plant 13 trees at Scottswood Common.
[Read more…]Presentation: Hidden Gems Road Trip
“Hidden Gems Road Trip” features photographs that speaker Pat Camalliere took of historic and scenic locations along the Des Plaines River, beginning at the Chicago Portage and ending in Lockport. The talk reveals why these places are important to the area’s history, how they look today, and how to visit them.
[Read more…]Welcome to Riverside 2024!
We are so glad you’ve moved to Riverside! The Frederick Law Olmsted Society welcomes you to this historic landmark village! To get you started on your Riverside adventure, we have some special events planned this summer.
[Read more…]Hop Stop 2024
Riverside’s Craft Beer Festival will be held at the Train Station and Guthrie Park on Saturday, September 28th from 3-6pm.
[Read more…]Olmsted Overlook Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
On Saturday, April 29 at 1:00 p.m. the Frederick Law Olmsted Society hosted a ribbon-cutting for the Olmsted Overlook. Located on Swan Pond Bluff between the Presbyterian Church and Hofmann Dam, the Overlook was planted by the Olmsted Society and community volunteers last spring.
[Read more…]FLOS Video on RBTV
Several board members were interviewed by Sara Vacek for an RBTV informational spot on FLOS. It turned out very well. Check it out.
[Read more…]Presentation: Early History of Proviso Township and the Surrounding Area
This presentation is a journey through the early settlement of the Township of Proviso and its surrounding areas — including parts of Riverside. October 15th Riverside Library.
[Read more…]The Sweep and Curve: Olmsted’s Riverside by Charles Pipal
The Sweep and the Curve discussed history of the town and challenges us to view Riverside not only in historical context, but also as a model of sustainability that needs care and stewardship. Presented on April 27th by Charles Pipal. Link to presentation coming soon.
[Read more…]“Spooktacular” Riverside!
Four special “spooky” walking tours—learn a bit about Riverside history with a special helping of eerie occurrences, spooky stories and local lore.
[Read more…]RIVERSIDE AND DRUID HILLS PROCLAMATION
FLOS Proclamation concerning a Riverside, Illinois, and Druid Hills, Atlanta, joint agreement to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of Olmsted’s birth.
[Read more…]Home Rain Garden Discussion Panel
The Riverside Public Library and the Frederick Law Olmsted Society hosted a Panel Discussion on Home Rain Gardens, Thursday, April 29. Link to presentation and resources now available.
[Read more…]The Gem of Chicago Wilderness: Ecology and Restoration of the Greatest Ecological Area in the U. S.
Immediately following our Annual Meeting, Dr. Spencer Cortwright introduced us to an under-appreciated treasure, our Chicago Wilderness. Link to Lecture Now Available!
[Read more…]Jazz Age Modern: Riverside’s Art Deco & Art Moderne Houses
The Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside partnered with the Library to present a survey of Art Deco and Art Moderne buildings in Riverside. The link to the recorded Zoom presentation is now available!
[Read more…]Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses, 1929-1975
Riverside residents and authors Michelangelo Sabatino and Serge Ambrose presented their new book Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses, 1929-1975 (co-authored with Susan Benjamin). YouTube link now available to watch.
[Read more…]Lecture: CITY IN A GARDEN, NEW ENGLAND ROOTS
Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin and former Tribune writer Barbara Mahany explored the New England-Chicago connections and their meaning for today. Video link to presentation now available for YouTube.
[Read more…]Lecture: Olmsted’s Offspring: From Riverside to Seaside
Ms. Plater-Zyberk, an internationally-recognized architect, urban designer and planner, presented Olmsted’s Offspring: From Riverside to Seaside. Link to video now uploaded.
[Read more…]August 10th – Wild Flower Walk and Talk
Walk and Talk with “The Illinois Botanist” was presented on Saturday, August 10. Video link to the lecture with prominent naturalist, Chris Brenda, is now available.
[Read more…]Lecture: Secrets from Very Old Trees
On May 2nd, at the Riverside Public Library we presented a lecture titled: “Secrets from Very Old Trees” given by Arboretum specialist Dr. M. Ross Alexander.
[Read more…]Lecture: Zoo News
Get the latest scoop on our neighbor, the Brookfield Zoo. Jennifer Baader, the zoo’s Vice President of Government Affairs, will acquaint us with the history of the zoo, animal conservation efforts, and what’s been happening lately with the mammals, reptiles, and other species that live there.
[Read more…]Lecture: Bird Friendly Gardens and Landscapes
“A Bird’s Eye View of Riverside,” was a lecture and discussion on how to attract birds to your garden and landscape. The event was videotaped by Riverside TV and is available now for viewing.
[Read more…]Lecture: What’s New (& Old) in the Cook County Forest Preserves
In this talk, Elsa Anderson, a Stewardship Program Aide with the Cook County Forest Preserves, took us through the history of the Forest Preserves and some of the natural treasures found in the preserves today. Video link provided by Riverside TV is now available.
[Read more…]Lecture: Restoring Wright Buildings to their Rightful Brilliance
Gunny Harboe, the renowned head of Harboe Architects, gave an inside view of the processes used in the restoration of two of Frank Lloyd Wright’s gems. Link to video is available inside.
[Read more…]Lecture: Undamming the Des Plaines
Steve Pescitelli, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Stream Specialist,shared the latest river monitoring results in order to show the contrast between the “before” and “after” of dam removal. If you missed the lecture, a copy of the presentation is available for review.
[Read more…]Lecture: The Mafia in the Western Suburbs
On December 4th at 7pm John J. Binder, author The Chicago Outfit and Al Capone’s Beer Wars: A Complete History of Organized Crime in Chicago during Prohibition, will discuss the history of organized crime in Riverside and surrounding suburbs.
[Read more…]