John Van Bergen was a Prairie Style Architect who designed more than 30 buildings in Highland Park. The City’s Historic Preservation Commission and the Historical Society have teamed up for a series of events highlighting the career of this brilliant Prairie Style architect. They’ve planned house tours, exhibits, lectures, and more. To join the celebration, purchase tickets through the HP Historical Society.
Of all the Prairie architects, John S. Van Bergen (1885-1969) is probably the most closely associated with Highland Park. He worked for Frank Lloyd Wright for a year and started his own practice in Oak Park in 1911. He moved to Highland Park at the end of the First World War and lived here with his family for 25 years. The more than 30 buildings in Highland Park he designed include Braeside School as well as single-family homes throughout the city. Jens Jensen, the noted landscape architect, was Van Bergen’s neighbor, friend, and mentor, and they collaborated on several projects including an addition at Ravinia School.