Bridgehouse Museum presents
“Unlocking Potential: Leveraging The Power of Preservation to Reactivate Chicago’s Bridgehouses as Community Cultural Spaces”
Thursday, July 23, 2026
5:15 PM – 6 PM
“Chicago’s historic bridges and their tender houses are among the city’s most recognizable civic landmarks, standing as enduring symbols of engineering innovation and the river that shaped Chicago’s growth. Yet many of our bridgehouses remain vacant and underutilized, disconnected from the communities that surround them.
Join Preservation Chicago Executive Director Ward Miller and Tender House Project founder Mejay Gula for a conversation about preserving and reimagining these remarkable bridge operator buildings for future generations. It’s hosted by the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, a prime example of how these buildings can be repurposed for the public good.
Ward will discuss the inclusion of Chicago’s bridges and bridge tender houses on Preservation Chicago’s 2026 Chicago 7 Most Endangered list. Their architectural significance, current challenges, and the urgent need to protect these unique structures call for immediate attention.
Building on that foundation, Mejay will share a vision for how preservation can become a catalyst for community connection. Through the Tender House Project, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to preserving and reactivating historic bridgehouses, she will explore how these vacant civic assets can be transformed into neighborhood-centered cultural spaces that expand public access to the Chicago River.
As Chicago continues to invest in its riverfront, this conversation about preservation through stewardship is more timely than ever. It demonstrates how adaptive reuse can protect historic landmarks like the bridges and bridgehouses by transforming them into vibrant community assets that connect neighborhoods, celebrate culture, and ensure the river belongs to everyone..”(Bridgehouse Museum)