Member Spotlight: Edgar Miller Legacy

As Old Town has flourished and become one of the city’s great commercial centers and tourist spots, visitors have come to know the neighborhood by its mainstreet feel and distinctive design language. Much of the aesthetic that Old Town has come to hold dear originates from the designs that Edgar Miller and his compatriots helped produce throughout the early part of the 20th century. Old Town Merchants and Residents Association member, Edgar Miller Legacy is proud and excited to continue to steward this local tradition and legacy of art, design, and inspiration. 

Edgar Miller Legacy is a non-profit organization operating in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago, dedicated to the preservation and study of Edgar Miller’s art, especially his “Handmade Homes” that were built throughout the near north districts of Chicago from the 1920s – 1930s. The mission of the organization is to preserve and promote Miller as an overlooked artistic genius, encourage study and research of his life and body of work, act as a resource for students and educational institutions, and to provide inspirational experiences within Miller-designed spaces. 

The artist Edgar Miller has a unique and deep connection to the neighborhood, starting when Old Town was called North Town, in the 1920s. At the time, the neighborhood had become a working class, affordable district, and a haven for bohemian artists and day-laborers. Having briefly attended the Art Institute of Chicago, and upon beginning his own burgeoning design business, Miller moved to the area in the late 1920s to pursue a shared vision of transforming old residential spaces into working art colonies. Directing a small group of artist-designers, Edgar Miller undertook one of the most original architectural projects in Chicago. These studio apartments still stand today as private residences, collectively known as the “Handmade Homes” on Wells Street and Burton Place. From the 1920s – 1970s, they drew in hundreds of artists and designers as residents and visitors, becoming a center of inspiration and creativity. Miller helped to reshape Old Town’s attractive “Old World” feel into something more artistic, and in 1990, while receiving a Distinguished Senior Citizen Award from the City of Chicago, he was given the unofficial title of “Founder of Old Town” by Mayor Richard M. Daley. Today, you can walk down to places like the West Burton Place Historic District and immediately see the impact and uniqueness of Miller’s creative work in the architectural design of the homes there.

Located at 1366 N Sedgwick Street, Edgar Miller Legacy is always excited to introduce new learners, students, creatives, and appreciators to the work of Edgar Miller through their year-round programming. Their programs include lectures, workshops, art exhibitions, musical performances, and tours, all within and around Edgar Miller-designed sites in the city. The best way to stay informed about all of their upcoming programs and events, and to support the organization, is to join their membership program or sign up for our newsletter. Edgar Miller Legacy has a number of upcoming programs this summer including a workshop series and site tours that are great for anyone to learn more about one of Old Town’s most interesting and inspirational stories. Check out their website to learn more.

As a non-profit organization, Edgar Miller Legacy is very proud to have made their home here in Old Town. “The Old Town neighborhood has grown into a supportive community that is filled with families and residents eager to learn more about local culture, history, and artistic projects,” says Jeff Kruse, Edgar Miller Legacy’s Director of Operations. “Old Town Merchants and Residents Association has been extremely helpful in working with us and other non-profit groups to spread the word about our mission and to help bring Edgar Miller’s name back to prominence as Old Town’s homegrown genius”.

If you have any questions, want to learn more, or would like to schedule a time to visit Edgar Miller Legacy offices please message info@edgarmiller.org.