Wilmette Historical Museum to Host Linden Square Stroller Tour

The tour will be held on Sept. 9 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

By Chi-an Chang
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September 5, 2012

The Baker Building, 1150 Wilmette Ave., has a colorful history. J. Clarke Baker built it in 1914 as Wilmette’s own “picture palace” and called it the Village Theater, Erch said. More than 1,400 attended the grand opening on June 20, 1914, according to Erch. The theater had 625 seats of padded leather upholstery with a place underneath to put your hat. The movie theatre was a center of community life for almost 14 years, but it couldn't compete with a nearby theater that was bigger and could show movies on Sundays, which was not allowed in Wilmette. The theater closed its doors in January 1928. Since then is has been home to many businesses including Encyclopedia Britannica’s film division and the Wilmette Chamber of Commerce.

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The Baker Building, 1150 Wilmette Ave., has a colorful history. J. Clarke Baker built it in 1914 as Wilmette’s own “picture palace” and called it the Village Theater, Erch said. More than 1,400 attended the grand opening on June 20, 1914, according to Erch. The theater had 625 seats of padded leather upholstery with a place underneath to put your hat. The movie theatre was a center of community life for almost 14 years, but it couldn't compete with a nearby theater that was bigger and could show movies on Sundays, which was not allowed in Wilmette. The theater closed its doors in January 1928. Since then is has been home to many businesses including Encyclopedia Britannica’s film division and the Wilmette Chamber of Commerce.

Credit Chi-an Chang

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Information provided by Wilmette Historical Museum.

The Wilmette Historical Museum is offering a stroller tour this fall, giving families with younger children the opportunity to learn about Wilmette’s historic Linden Square, the commercial district around Linden Avenue and 4^th Street.

Check out photos from Photos: Downtown Wilmette Historic Stroller Tour.

Goodie bags with crayons and a coloring book of Wilmette landmarks will be provided for young children. Although the tour is designed for parents with children instrollers, everyone is welcome.

“A Stroll Through Time” will be held on Sunday, September 9, 2012, from 3:00 – 4:30 pm. The tour is free but reservations are required by phoning the WilmetteHistorical Museum at (847) 853-7666. The meeting location will be given upon registration. For more information visit www.wilmettehistory.org.

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