Is it possible for a house to have two lives in two different places? The James B. Irving House, right before your eyes, is a testament to that very possibility. Built in 1928, this Prairie School gem first graced a different address: 1318 Isabella Street in nearby Wilmette. James Irving, the home’s namesake, and his family were its first inhabitants. The renowned architect John S. Van Bergen, once an understudy of the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the house. Look closely, and you can see Wright’s influence echoed in the home’s low hip roof and bands of ornamental wood. Now, imagine this: in 2014, the James B. Irving House faced the threat of demolition. A testament to the power of preservation, the house was meticulously divided into three sections, lifted, and moved to a temporary location. This was no mean feat! Finally, it journeyed 2.5 miles to its current location in Evanston, painstakingly reassembled, and restored to its former glory. Today, the James B. Irving House stands as a symbol of resilience, a beautiful reminder that even in the face of progress, history can find a way to endure.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one