General Info

Clarke House is oldest surviving building in the original Chicago city limits. Built in 1836 for New York businessman Henry Brown Clarke, the timber frame structure is a rare example of domestic architecture from Chicago's earliest days. Guided tours of Clarke House and related educational programming explore life in early Chicago through the social and cultural experiences of the Clarke family, the symbolism of Greek Revival architecture, and the fascinating preservation of this local landmark. Clarke House Museum is the centerpiece of Chicago Women's Park & Gardens in the Prairie Avenue Historic District. Operated as a museum by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events since 1982, it is furnished with period artifacts through the generosity of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Illinois, and interpreted through a partnership with Glessner House Museum.Clarke House is oldest surviving building in the original Chicago city limits. Built in 1836 for New York businessman Henry Brown Clarke, the timber frame structure is a rare example of domestic architecture from Chicago's earliest days. Guided tours of Clarke House and related educational programming explore life in early Chicago through the social and cultural experiences of the Clarke family, the symbolism of Greek Revival architecture, and the fascinating preservation of this local landmark. Clarke House Museum is the centerpiece of Chicago Women's Park & Gardens in the Prairie Avenue Historic District. Operated as a museum by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events since 1982, it is furnished with period artifacts through the generosity of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Illinois, and interpreted through a partnership with Glessner House Museum.