Intro to Chicago

There is a reason to visit Chicago. It is the city where Joseph B. Strauss, UC '92 (that's 1892) set up his Strauss Bascule Bridge Company of Chicago in 1902. When Peder, my "Norwegian brother" (from host family during my 1961-1962 year in Norway) said he was going to Chicago to research a musician from his home of Voss, I couldn't resist the temptation to join him and learn the ropes of doing research in Chicago.

Granted, most of our time during the last two days was researching Knute Finney, a violinist and teacher active in Chicago starting at the turn of the century. We visited music stores, instrument makers, music schools, the offices of the Chicago Symphony, and the old Norwegian section of town near Belmont (now mostly Hispanic). We talked to music librarians at Roosevelt, Northwestern, and other interesting places. Peder is an impressive researcher, with innumerable contacts and a 3-ring binder full of his sources. That on top of his real job as a physician and avocation playing bassoon in the Voss orchestra!

The key research spots for me - the Chicago Public Library and the Newberry Library - were alas closed for President's Day. Peder was able to visit them today, but I am on my way to Boston, for another adventure. I will have to learn via email whether those libraries have good material for me. If so, a return visit will be in order.