The South Shore Cultural Center History

​​The South Shore Cultural Center, once the South Shore Country Club, sits on a 60 acre triangle bounded by Lake Shore Drive on the west, 71st Street on the south, and Lake Michigan on the east and north. On its grounds are a golf course, a beach, picnic areas, and the South Shore Nature Sanctuary. The country club’s closure in the 1970s brought concern for what would happen to the distinguished facility. Lack of use for more than 5 years resulted in a plan by the Chicago Park District to demolish the buildings. To forestall such a loss, the Coalition to Save the South Shore Country Club, a citywide group of historical preservationists, arts organizations, and neighborhood residents banded together to protest the destruction of the club and call for the establishment of a regional cultural center, open to all. The coalition achieved success and the South Shore Cultural Center, part of the Chicago Park District and a jewel on Chicago’s lakefront, was established.
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The South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Council

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​The South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Council (SSCCAC) is the official Park Advisory Council for the buildings & grounds of the South Shore Cultural Center, which is located on the shore of Lake Michigan on the South Side of Chicago. The SSCCAC was formed in 1986 by many of the same community members who saved the former South Shore Country Club from demolition. The South Shore Cultural Center is owned and operated by the Chicago Park District.

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​The Advisory Council of the South Shore Cultural Center formed in 1986 to (1) Advise the  Chicago Park District on all operations of the South Shore Cultural Center, (2) promote the maintenance and beautification of the park, and (3) develop and expand cultural, recreational, and educational activities for adults and children. Advisory Council members have planned concerts, surveyed the grounds, planted flowers, set up astronomical sky-watches, held festivals, met with Chicago Park District officials on matters concerning the center, written programming grants to state and federal agencies, and contributed dollars and raised funds towards programming at the Center.

All photographs on this site by Eric Allix Rogers.