Ira J. Bach visual materials

  • Collection ID 1985.0805; 1991.0487.2
  • Creator Names Bach, Ira J.
  • Title Ira J. Bach visual materials ca. 1950-1980 [graphic].
  • Physical description Approximately 2 linear feet, including approximately 260 images (6 boxes)
  • Access and usage restrictions Advance appointment required to view color material in cold storage.
  • Collection summary Black-and-white photographic prints (approximately 215) and negatives (29) and color photographic prints (16) primarily taken by Ira J. Bach documenting his publications and his work as a housing and city planning official for Cook County, the City of Chicago, and related agencies. Images primarily consist of exterior views of the Chicago built environment, including the River City apartment complex, Hyde Park YMCA, O'Hare Airport Rapid Transit extensions and terminal, McCormick Place expansion facility, a convention hall proposed for the lakefront, and buildings to be considered by the Commission of Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks in 1972. Other images show buildings from other cities, design models, sculptures, including a metal sculpture by Virginio Ferrari, and an exhibit regarding the Historic American Building Survey at City Hall. Also includes images of the Chicago South Side from approximately 1950 to 1970 photographed for Bach<U+2019>s manuscript "From the Eye of the Urban Storm" (1971) (see Box 4). Portraits in the collection include photographs of Bach with Mayor Richard J. Daley and other city officials. Also includes a presentation album submitted by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe to the Committee on Architects Selection for the proposed Chicago Civic Center (1960).
  • Terms Governing Use and Reproduction Credit photographers, some restrictions apply.
  • Biographical or Historical Note Bach served as Executive Director of the Cook County Housing Authority, the first Commissioner of planning for the City of Chicago, Director of City Development, and in other roles as a senior planning official for Mayors Richard J. Daley, Jane Byrne, and Harold Washington.
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Ira J. Bach papers.
  • Acquisition information Gift of Mrs. Ira J. Bach, 1985 (1985.0805) and gift of the Ira J. Bach Student Urban Design Award, Inc., in memory of Ira J. Bach (1991.0487)
  • Names
    • Bach, Ira J.
    • Chicago Civic Center (Building : Chicago, Ill.)
    • Chicago Plan Commission
    • Historic American Buildings Survey.
    • River City (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Ferrari, Virginia.
    • Mies van der Rohe, Ludwig, 1886-1969.
  • Subjects
    • Apartment houses Illinois Chicago. lctgm
    • Buildings Illinois Chicago. lctgm
    • Civic-ceremonial buildings Illinois Chicago. lctgm
    • Elevated railroads Illinois Chicago. lctgm
    • Exhibitions Illinois Chicago. lctgm
    • Historic buildings Conservation and restoration Illinois Chicago.
    • Sailboats. lctgm
    • Sculpture Illinois Chicago. lctgm
  • Geographic coverage Chicago (Ill.) Buildings, structures, etc.
  • Genre
    • Film negatives. gmgpc
    • Photographic prints Color. gmgpc
    • Gelatin silver prints. gmgpc
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.