Creating a Digital Exhibit, "Lithuanians in Chicago"

Last semester, Slavic Reference Service Graduate Assistant, Erika Weir worked with the Lithuanian Research and Studies Center to develop a digital collection of  archival materials related to the history of the Lithuanian community in Chicago. Although over 4,000 miles away from Lithuania, Chicago is home to one of the most active Lithuanian communities worldwide. As early as 1908, Chicago was home to the largest Lithuanian population of any city in the world with over 50,000 Lithuanian residents (Lietuva 1908). The Chicago area still remains home to an active Lithuanian-American community and the legacy of Lithuanians in Chicago is still evident throughout the city and suburbs. The project attempts to highlight the activities and influence of the Lithuanian migration to Chicago through visual artifacts.

About the project

"Lithuanians in Chicago" was created using the digital publishing platform, Scalar. The majority of items included in the collection were scanned directly from the archival collections of the Lithuanian Research and Studies Center. Contextual information about each item, like the date created, author, and location of event is given within the respective metadata field. The collection also includes relevant  items from additional online sources like the Internet Archive and articles related to this unique subject. 

Within the collection, items are organized are by overarching themes: Arts & Culture, Education, Politics, Press, and Organizations. The collection also highlights the activities of Janunimo Kongresas, the Ateitis Foundation, and the Lithuanian Scout Association. Moreover it also showcases specific subsections on the annual celebrations of Lithuanian Independence on February 16th and Lithuanian Folk Dance Festivals from 1957 to 1976.

First Lady Patricia Nixon and Lithuanian President, Valdas Adamkus, at the 1972 Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Chicago

Interesting finds

Included in the collection are some materials related to the influence of Lithuanians on a national and international scale. Some of the more unique items include a Lithuanian- translated edition of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair which famously featured a Chicago Lithuanian family, the presidential schedule when  the Lithuanian-American Council met with President Truman in 1948, and a photo of First Lady Patricia Nixon at the 1972 Lithuanian folk Dance Festival.

Translated version of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair which featured a  Chicago Lithuanian family.

Additional resources

Because this collection was intended to serve as introduction to the Chicago Lithuanian community, the site also includes resources for further information on this subject. Both a bibliography of resources consulted and a page on other digital collections to explore have been included to help introduce users to this subject.