“The Iowa Building, Jackson Park’s 91-year-old pavilion with ties to the World’s Fair, is open again to the public after a year of repair work.
“Headed by the Chicago Park District, the $2.4 million restoration project sought to transform the historic building into a picnic shelter for community use.
“‘It is critical that we protect our historic assets and enhance community resources,’ said Rosa Escareño, the Park District’s general superintendent at the June 28 ribbon-cutting. ‘I’m thrilled to reopen the rehabilitated Iowa Building and further our commitment to creating spaces for residents to gather and appreciate the natural beauty of our parks.’
“Constructed in 1933 by the Works Progress Administration, the building is a spiritual successor to a larger pavilion built in 1888 as part of a growing network of parks and boulevards around the South Side. When the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition came to town, that building was repurposed as an exhibition hall for the state of Iowa.
“With the popularization of cars and widening of Lake Shore Drive in the early 20th century, the building was torn down in 1936, a few years after the new pavilion in Jackson park’s northeast corner was constructed.
“By the turn of the millennium, that new building, dubbed ‘the Iowa Building,’ had decayed significantly through neglect and vandalism; it’s fountain stopped working, the bathrooms were shuttered and the stone crumbled in places.
“After a few years of preparation and fundraising, the Park District closed down the pavilion last year to begin restorations. Now that the improvements— upgraded bathrooms, lighting, restored masonry and new concrete floors — are complete, Park District officials say the pavilion can serve as a home for picnics and other public outdoor activities.
“It’s a great addition to Hyde Park and we cherish being able to use it,” Gerald Cook continued. “We look forward to more events this summer and for years to come.” (Hyde Park Herald Staff, 7/12/24)