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Henry Gerber House: A Landmark of LGBTQ+ Rights

Visit the Henry Gerber House in Chicago's Old Town, a National Historic Landmark and the birthplace of the American LGBTQ+ rights movement.

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The Henry Gerber House in Chicago's Old Town is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the former residence of Henry Gerber, who founded the Society for Human Rights in the 1920s, the first chartered gay rights organization in the United States. Though the interior is not always open, the building's exterior serves as a symbol of the early LGBTQ+ rights movement.

A brief summary to Henry Gerber House

  • 1704 N Crilly Ct, Chicago, Old Town, Illinois, 60614, US
  • Visit website

Local tips

  • Check visiting hours in advance, as the house is often closed to the public.
  • Explore the surrounding Old Town neighborhood, known for its historic charm, shops, and restaurants.
  • Read about Henry Gerber's life and his contributions to LGBTQ+ rights before your visit to enhance your experience.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the intersection of North Avenue and Halsted Street, walk north on Halsted Street. Turn right onto W Eugenie Street, then turn right again onto N Crilly Court. The Henry Gerber House will be on your right at 1704 N Crilly Ct. This is a short walk of approximately 5 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    Take the CTA Red Line to the Clark/Division station. From there, walk east on Division Street to State Street, then north on State Street to North Avenue. Head west on North Avenue to Crilly Court. Turn north onto Crilly Court; the Henry Gerber House will be on your right. Alternatively, from the North/Clybourn station, take bus #72 or #73 towards the Old Town area and get off at North Ave & Halsted St. Walk about 5 minutes north to N Crilly Ct. Fares for the 'L' train are $2.50 and bus fares are $2.25. A Ventra card can be used for both.

  • Driving

    From I-90/94, exit at North Avenue and head east. Turn right onto N Halsted St, then turn left onto W North Ave. After about 1 mile, turn right onto N Crilly Ct. The Henry Gerber House will be on your left at 1704 N Crilly Ct. Street parking is available but may be limited and metered. Parking rates vary.

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Discover more about Henry Gerber House

Located at 1704 N Crilly Ct in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood, the Henry Gerber House stands as a significant landmark in American LGBTQ+ history. This brick row house, built in 1885 in the Queen Anne style, was home to Henry Gerber during the mid-1920s. It was here that Gerber, a German-born activist, established the Society for Human Rights (SHR) in 1924, the first chartered organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for the rights of homosexuals. Inspired by early German gay rights movements, Gerber's SHR aimed to promote and protect the interests of homosexuals, and published the newsletter "Friendship and Freedom," one of the first documented gay civil-rights publications in the United States. The organization was short-lived, however, as police raided the house in 1925, arresting Gerber and confiscating his property. Despite its brief existence, the Society for Human Rights marked a turning point in the history of homosexuality in the United States. The house itself contributes to the Old Town Triangle Chicago Landmark District. While the interior is not consistently open to the public, the exterior serves as a reminder of the struggles and triumphs of the early LGBTQ+ rights movement. The surrounding Old Town neighborhood offers a charming backdrop with its array of cafes, shops, and parks.

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