Frances and Gladys: A Bicycle Tour of Frances Willard’s Evanston Life & Legacy - Clio

This tour was curated by: Frances Willard House Museum and WCTU Archives

Established as a museum in 1900, the Frances Willard House Museum contains a remarkably intact collection of original furnishings and objects, including Frances Willard's bicycle Gladys, which helps visitors learn the story of one of the most significant women in American history. Frances Willard was a visionary social reformer in the late 19th Century. As president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union from 1879-1898 she campaigned for causes including women's economic and religious rights, women's suffrage, and education, prison and labor reforms. She used the women's temperance movement to organize women and mobilize them for social change.

Entries on This Tour

Welcome and Introduction

Welcome to the official Frances Willard bicycle tour presented by the Frances Willard House Museum. This tour, designed to be enjoyed as either a biking or walking tour, takes visitors on an exploration of Frances Willard's Evanston life and legacy.

2. North-Western Female College

Formerly located at Sherman Avenue and Lake Street, North-Western Female College was a three-year preparatory school providing young women with advanced coursework in writing, science, mathematics, philosophy, and theology [1]. Initially founded in 1855, Mary and Frances Willard enrolled at North-Western Female College in 1858. The experience instilled in Frances Willard a profound appreciation for women’s education, shaping her subsequent commitment to a career as an educator. In addition, Willard’s exposure to faculty and events at North-Western Female College began to influence her feelings about women’s role in society and marriage, thus laying the groundwork for her future women’s suffrage activism [2].

3. Swampscot Cottage

Swampscot Cottage, a modest two-story home on the corner of Church Street and Judson Avenue, was the first home in Evanston the Willard family resided in. They began renting the property in 1859, while Frances and Mary Willard attended North-Western Female College. The decision to move to Evanston reflects the influence that Willard’s father, Josiah Willard, had on her and the family. Frances Willard’s memory of Swampscot and her father are evidence of that influence. The family ultimately left Swampscot in 1862, following the death of Willard's sister Mary.

4. Rest Cottage

Built in 1865, for the Willard family, Rest Cottage served as home for much of Frances Willard’s adult life. It became the base of operations for her trailblazing work on social reform, woman’s suffrage, and the temperance movement. For over two decades, Rest Cottage acted as a home and office for Willard, informal headquarters for the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), and boarding house for WCTU workers. In 1900, shortly after France Willard’s passing, the WCTU established Rest Cottage as the Frances Willard House Museum. Today, the museum is open to the public and serves as a memorial, museum, and archives for Willard’s profound legacy. Visit franceswillardhouse.org for tour availability and reservations.

5. First United Methodist Church

Founded in 1854, the original First United Methodist Church building stood on Church Street between Chicago and Orrington Avenues where the Evanston Public Library now stands. Due to its connection to Northwestern University and the founding of Evanston, Frances Willard designated the First United Methodist Church as being the “chief church of Evanston” [1] Willard’s church community was fundamental to the development of her personal faith which in turn, guided her leadership in the temperance and women’s rights movements. Today, First Church continues to be a center of worship in Evanston and strives to uphold their 160+ year “heritage of prophetic preaching, missional outreach, progressive social teaching and action, and a love of music”. [2]

6. Garrett Biblical Institute and Heck Hall

Garrett Biblical Institute, chartered in 1855, stood where Northwestern University campus now stands. The school served as the training ground for Methodist ministers in the Midwest. Garrett Biblical Institute was just one of the institutions which made Evanston a mecca for the Methodist community. The Willard family was drawn to Evanston because of that community. As the Willards came to Evanston and became involved in the community through First Methodist Church and North-Western Female College, they became connected with Garrett Biblical Institute. Oliver Willard, the eldest child, was a student, and Frances Willard was instrumental in the fundraising for Heck Hall.

7. Evanston College for Ladies

Frances Willard's drive to educate women led her from North Western Female College to its successor. Willard was asked to become president on Valentine’s Day, 1871. As president of the Evanston College for Ladies until 1873, Willard worked with an all-women board of trustees to create a college operated by and for women. Evanston College for Ladies mainly provided room, board, and supervision to women enrolled in the program while they attended classics and science courses at Northwestern University. The college also offered instruction in fine arts, homemaking, manners, and language.

8. Woman's Christian Temperance Union Administration Building

In 1910, the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), headquartered at the adjacent Rest Cottage, commissioned architect Charles R. Ayars to build the Literature Building. Constructed on the north side of the property, the Literature Building was designed to house the Woman’s Temperance Publishing Association. A decade later, the WCTU outgrew their offices in Rest Cottage and re-commissioned Ayars to expand the Literature Building to a three-story structure. In 1922, the WCTU relocated its headquarters from Rest Cottage to the newly dedicated Administration Building. Although built after Frances Willard’s death in 1898, the construction of both phases was overseen by Willard’s close friend Anna Gordon. Today the building houses the WCTU library and archives.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Frances and Gladys: A Bicycle Tour of Frances Willard’s Evanston Life & Legacy

Created by Lori Osborne on May 5th 2022, 4:42:26 pm.

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Description

Welcome to the official Frances Willard bicycle tour presented by the Frances Willard House Museum! This tour, designed to be enjoyed as either a biking or walking tour, takes visitors on an exploration of Frances Willard's legacy through the lens of influential relationships. Given the importance bicycle riding played in Willard's wellbeing and independence, this tour fittingly invites the community on a pedaling journey across the historic fabric of Willard's beloved hometown of Evanston, Illinois Frances Willard's contributions to the early women's rights and temperance movements were influenced (and even bolstered) by central figures in her life. This guided historic tour examines the role key relationships played in shaping the achievements of Frances Willard and the impact those achievements had on the community of Evanston. In addition, this tour serves as a complementary experience to a visit to the Frances Willard House Museum by encouraging visitors to explore Willard's Evanston neighborhood and social reform legacy. Bicycles can be rented from Divvy bike-share stations located at Chicago Avenue and Sheridan Road, Benson Avenue and Church Street, or at the university library on Northwestern’s campus. Please exercise caution and follow all rules applicable to biking and walking on urban roadways. We hope you enjoy Frances and Gladys: A Bicycle Tour of Frances Willard’s Evanston Life & Legacy!

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