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Beautiful building, stunning architecture, with paintings and decorations. It is all about American Soldiers. Admission is free. Visit can be combined with Lincoln Park Zoo. It does not take a lot of time
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Date of experience: November 2018
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I don't know how many times I walked past the Elks National Veterans Memorial on my way to and from my doctor's office over the years. But, for whatever reason, I recently noticed an article about an event being conducted at the building and, out of sheer curiosity, I decided to stop in and take advantage of the free admission after my most recent visit to the doctor. My father was an Elk. In fact, at one time, he was the leader of the Blue Island Elks Lodge. I was initiated into the Elks but, unfortunately, I didn't keep up my membership. I recall him talking about the Elks Memorial on more than a few occasions. It was time for me to get acquainted. What a magnificent building. Located at 2750 North Lakeview Avenue, at Diversey, across from Lincoln Park, it is a Beaux Arts-style domed structure that was planned by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks who wished to honor members of their order who had served in World War I. It was constructed from 1924 to 1926 and rededicated in 1946, 1976 and 1994 to honor veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and all subsequent conflicts. In 2003, it was granted memorial landmark status by the city of Chicago. Fine marble was imported from Greece, Austria, France, Belgium and Italy as well as from Vermont, Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri. High quality limestone came from Indiana. The building's lavish construction and interior decoration and artwork have cause it to be described as "one of the most magnificent war memorials in the world." It features sculptures by Adolph A. Weinman, Laura Gardin Fraser and James Earle Fraser and murals by Eugene Savage and Edwin Blashfield. The beauty and grandeur of the rotunda defies description with its murals and statues depicting the Elks' four cardinal virtues: charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. The friezes portray the "Triumphs of War" on one said and "Triumphs of Peace" on the other. The entrance is flanked by two large bronze sculptures of elks. Besides its status as a memorial, the building also serves as the national headquarters of the Elks.…
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Date of experience: November 2018
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The Elks National Memorial looks beautiful and stately from the outside. It is incredibly breathtaking and amazingly beautiful inside! Many people walk past the Elks Memorial for years before taking the time to go in. When they do they are amazed! The rotunda as you enter is inspiring and reminds you of Greek and Roman art and architecture. The adjoining rooms in their heavy wooded walls and ceilings are just stunning. You can get a free tour just for the asking from the volunteer guides. The Elks Memorial is without question one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Chicago!!…
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Date of experience: September 2018
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The day I visited Lincoln Park Zoo, I had a few hours left to kill so I thought of exploring a little further ahead. Not very far from the zoo, I found this gem of a place - a memorial to participating members of World War I. The front rotunda hall has a collection of Greek and Roman architecture influenced huge statues dedicated to virtues like charity & justice as well as War vs Peace. There are bronze Elk sculptures at the entrance. There are a number of halls apart from the rotunda main hall which again have beautiful paintings and sculptures. There are a series of stairs leading from the hall to downstairs,where I particularly found the Exhibition section quite interesting. This memorial can be covered in a short time of 2-3 hours so one should definitely try to visit it when visiting the Zoo or any other tourist place in that area.…
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Date of experience: September 2017
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we went there in Chicago open house event, it's gorgeous inside, esp. there a room with very elegant ceiling, and golden decoration. there is also an exhibition area in basement, displaying different cart in the parade for different years.
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Date of experience: October 2017
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