When Chicago was incorporated into a city in 1837, the city fathers declared Chicago to be a City in a Garden.  Now, 174 years later, the Glen Ellyn Wheaton Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago spent the day visiting a collection of fountains and gardens that show Chicago is still justified in calling itself “Urbs in Horto.” 
     Traveling to the Hyde Park neighborhood on the southside of the city, the Community Associates visited the oldest fountain in Chicago.  Designed by  Henry Manger in 1881, this sculpture and fountain depicts Francis M. Drexel, Philadelphia broker and banker who donated land that was to be used as a boulevard bearing his name.  His sons erected this statue in their father’s memory.  The Associate members realized they were seeing a gem in Chicago’s culture that many never knew existed.  Their Chicago guide opened up an art study of the city that was novel and informative for the entire group. 
     To become a member of the Glen Ellyn Wheaton Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago call Katie Damitz, Membership Chairman at 630-653-5659.  The new club year begins in August of 2012.