EDGEWATER — Long-time Edgewater resident and legendary Chicago theater head Martha Lavey died in April, but the home where she flourished for 20 years will continue to pay homage to her spirit.
Lavey's former abode at 5708 N. Glenwood Ave. was featured Sunday as part of the Edgewater Historical Society's annual home tour, which allowed members of the public to peruse what was once part of the artistic director's private life — many artifacts of which are still on display at the house.
For 20 years, Lavey served as the iconic theater's artistic director, helping to commission playwrights, expand and diversify its ensemble. She created partnerships with Chicago Public Schools, started youth programs and was a central part of the theater when it won nine of its 12 Tony awards.
On Oct. 9, Steppenwolf will hold an indoor celebration of Lavey's life at 1650 N. Halsted St., followed by a 10 a.m. outdoor ceremony the next day for an unveiling of an honorary street sign in her name.
In the meantime, fans of Lavey and Chicago travelers alike are able to spend some time in the cozy quarters she called home for the two decades before her death.
After Lavey died of a stroke earlier this year, the home was bought by two women who live just two houses away and converted into an Airbnb site, using many of Lavey's own personal effects to decorate the tiny, square house.
Martha Lavey was an actress and later artistic director at Steppenwolf Theatre, guiding the company to some of its greatest heights. [Steppenwolf Theatre/Joel Moorman]
One bedroom on the second floor has a wall filled with many of the former director's treasured books.
A stay costs about $153 a night.
If that sounds expensive, it comes with about 100 years worth of history prior to its use by Lavey.
Originally built in 1904, the unique concrete structure consisted of an upstairs apartment, accessible through one entrance, and ground-floor offices, accessible by another door, both on the front side of the building.
It's builder, Col. E. Russell, decided to apply an experimental decorative technique on the home's street-facing facade: hand sculpting the concrete, which is part of its unusual aesthetic. The sides and rear of the home are stucco.
From 1917-1992 it was occupied by the Walsh family, with a grocery and convenience store taking over the first floor offices set up by Russell.
Though some facets of the home have been updated to reflect modern, single-family-home living, much of its vintage and original charm still exists, like its maple floors and arched front window.
Photos by DNAinfo/Linze Rice
