Walking Tour | Hyde Park Murals

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we’re also taking time to consider the ways people in the United States practice democracy through civic action, including by making public art, establishing community, and cultural expression.

Join artist and educator Juarez Hawkins for a lively historical tour of the murals along the Metra underpasses linking Hyde Park Boulevard and Cornell Avenue in Hyde Park, one of the city’s most engaging neighborhoods. Take a close look at public art that tells distinctive stories about Chicago and its history, including Astrid Fuller’s Spirit of Hyde Park (1973) and William Walker’s Children of Goodwill (1977). We’ll also touch on the issues surrounding content, restoration, and reinterpretation.

Tour runs 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at the Pepperland Apartment building at 1509–1517 E. 57th Street, adjacent to the 57th Street Metra Stop. Tour also includes free admission to the Chicago History Museum, good for one week from tour date. Masks are optional for our outdoor walking tours. Learn more about our COVID-19 safety policies and procedures.