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Clarke-Ford House image

Clarke-Ford House

Museum

This middle-class Greek Revival structure, built in 1836, is Chicago's oldest surviving home. People often mention tour, house, Chicago, free, history,


Address

1827 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Website

www.chicago.gov

Contact

(312) 744-5000

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (51 reviews)

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Working Hours

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Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: tour (14) house (13) Chicago (11) free (8) history (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 EuroKing 4 years ago on Google β€’ 35 reviews
    The tour is good and goes over the history of the house, especially the Clarke Family and takes you through most of the house with the notable exception of the cupola. The house has been restored to what they think it may have looked liked originally and is overall well done. It is a little known piece of Chicago history that is waiting for people to go and visit.
    6 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 John S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to take a tour of and learn about Chicago history.
    6 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 John W. 10 years ago on Google β€’ 383 reviews
    Located in the beautiful Chicago Women's Park and Gardens, the Clarke House is the oldest house in Chicago, built I think in 1830's it is an example of the type of homes that those who were well off could afford to build. Almost all of the furniture has been replaced with period pieces from other houses, but it still paint a really good picture as to what the place might have looked like back in the day. It is very interesting to see the different scale on the inside since people were simply smaller over a hundred years ago. The docent (teacher tour guide) was amazing and explaining the architecture and what they were hoping to achieve with the use of space. The best part was that if you go on certain days, the tour is free and is paired with another AMAZING tour if the Glessner House.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Mohannad 6 years ago on Google β€’ 479 reviews
    The oldest house in Chicago, it is a must see. It's not amzing, or lavish, but it is an important structure. It was nice to see how Chicago was and what life was like in the 1800s. Plus, they give free tours, and have to say my tour guide was EXCELLENT!
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Stefan K. 5 years ago on Google
    Chicago’s first permanent resident was a trader named Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a free black man apparently from Haiti, who came here in the late 1770s. In 1795, the U.S. government built Fort Dearborn at what is now the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive (look for the bronze markers in the pavement). It was burned to the ground by Native Americans in 1812, rebuilt and demolished in 1857.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Matthew K. 7 years ago on Google β€’ 166 reviews
    The oldest, still standing, house in the City of Chicago. Tours are free and lasts about an hour. The grounds can also be toured and it makes for an enjoyable afternoon event. There are restaurants within walking distance as well as the Marshall Field's mansion (now private residences). The history of this house is the beginning of Chicago.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Anja Van O. 5 years ago on Google β€’ 83 reviews
    Historic jewel not many know about. There are free tours available. The park and community gardens around the house are nice to visit as well.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Anette B. 4 years ago on Google β€’ 47 reviews
    Great tour and it's free of charge! Loved the house, and the docent was extremely knowledgeable and interesting. Though the Clarke's furniture and artifacts have been lost over time, the home has been painstakingly restored to period authenticity and truly gives a feel for 19th century life in a great house. Definitely one of Chicago's best kept secrets.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Steve L. 6 years ago on Google
    Our guild was this old man, he had my mom and I laughing throughout the whole tour. We tried to tip the guild and security guard (an early 20's guy) and they turned us down. Our FREE tour was great, very interesting.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Mona E. 1 year ago on Google
    July 21, 2022: I want to see this historic mansion once it gets moved and renovated on Indiana Avenue.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 3/5 Ian D. 5 years ago on Google β€’ 55 reviews
    The tours are free and worth it for anyone interested in seeing the oldest house in Chicago. Some of the rooms have refurbished items that never belonged in the house. The tour guide was informative and super helpful.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Doug B. 6 years ago on Google
    Our tour guide was very friendly and thorough, but I noticed that lots of the things he mentioned conflicted with the information provided in the exhibit. Can't complain for a free tour on a Tuesday, though. Beautiful grounds nearby.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Stephen S. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting history. Free tour that takes an hour. No sitting allowed because of the old furniture.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Philip B. 4 years ago on Google
    Really love the history of Chicago. This is a great place to visit by yourself or with your family

  • 5/5 Marie M. 5 years ago on Google
    Knowledgeable docents extremely helpful. A good demonstration of a house from 1835. The china on the table was really beautiful. Looking forward to going back ❀

  • 4/5 Ccharmi S. 5 years ago on Google β€’ 13 reviews
    The museum is wonderful... Got to know a lot about the history with interesting facts. Tour guide was unable to make it, we were handed in headphones so we could have self paced tour. We 2 rooms well marked so we could relate the audio and rooms well. The upstairs rooms did not have markings and would talk the language of North East room etc, which was little confusing.. over all worth a visit.


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