The John H. Vanderpoel Art Collection, located in the Ridge Park Fieldhouse on Chicago’s Far South Side, is at risk due to inadequate climate control, according to curators and local advocates. The concern was raised publicly on April 1 by the nonprofit Vanderpoel Art Association and the Ridge Park Advisory Council, who said fluctuating humidity and temperature could damage the nearly century-old collection.
The issue matters because the collection includes about 600 works by 400 artists such as Mary Cassatt and Lorado Taft. The artwork has been displayed in Ridge Park since 1930 and is owned by the association but housed rent-free in exchange for free public access. Curators say that without proper air handling systems, these valuable pieces may deteriorate.
Irene Testa, president of the Vanderpoel Art Association, said wild swings in humidity—from under 10 percent in winter to over 80 percent in summer—are harming the art. “The lack of climate control is really affecting the art collection,” Testa said. She explained that ideal conditions should keep humidity between 40 and 60 percent with temperatures from 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Despite these concerns, Chicago Park District spokesperson Michele Lemons said there are no plans for upgrades or repairs to the current system. “The existing system that cools the space occupied by the Vanderpoel Art Museum is functioning as expected,” Lemons said. She attributed any temperature changes mainly to doors being left open during warmer months.
Officials from the Art Institute of Chicago commented more broadly: “In general, stable temperature and relative humidity are important for the long-term care of museum collections, though optimal conditions may vary based on materials and structure.”
Advocates have turned to participatory budgeting efforts hoping residents will vote for a new HVAC system as a priority project this spring. The park district recently completed $2 million in improvements at Ridge Park but did not include HVAC work among those upgrades.
Joanne Carstensen, president of Ridge Park Advisory Council, encouraged community members’ support: “[We] are asking people … to say, ‘Yes, this is something we care about.'” As proposals move forward through participatory budgeting later this year, supporters hope preservation of Beverly’s historic art will be prioritized.
