The North Lakeside Cultural Center (NLCC) was founded to offer the communities of Edgewater, Rogers Park and north Uptown a place to gather and share cultural activities. In 1982, developers purchased three adjoining lakefront properties intending to build a high-rise. This became a concern of great significance to the neighborhood as the rest of Sheridan road was already lined with high-rise buildings. In an effort to preserve the last pedestrian access to the lakefront, community residents rallied to block the proposed project. Eventually, the city of Chicago agreed to purchase the properties, with the caveat that the community itself be responsible for raising the capital needed to restore the buildings. Originally under the auspices of the Edgewater Community Council, the activist group soon incorporated itself as a separate entity and became thereafter known as the North Lakeside Cultural Center. The organization received 501c3 eligibility in 1985, and ultimately raised over $1,000,000. Although one building had already been destroyed, the group was able to renovate the two remaining structures, along with their adjacent coach houses. The completed project became the Berger Park cultural campus, including a park district field house (in the Berger mansion), a playlot with lakefront picnic and chess area, a restaurant concession, and the North Lakeside Cultural Center (the Gunder mansion). In 1986, NLCC entered into a charter agreement with the city of Chicago, agreeing to provide the community with programs and services related to the arts. Learn more about the history of NLCC and the Gunder mansion at the Edgewater Historical Society's house walk page here.

Coming Soon...

Mark it in your calendars! 2010 will be a year of anniversaries for NLCC. Our organization will celebrate its 25th year, and the Gunder mansion reaches its 100th year in the history of our community. Help us to usher in a new era of service to arts and culture in our great neighborhood. Please visit our Membership page and tell us what you think. You don't have to be a member to weigh in on the future of NLCC and Gunder mansion!