100th Anniversary of East Lake Shore Drive

March 4

The Occasion: Gathered at the appropriately-situated Drake Hotel, more than 400 of Chicago and the North Shore’s social leaders saluted the 100th anniversary of the famed strip of land, as presented by The Benjamin Marshall Society, named after the historic architect who built five of the eight buildings along stately East Lake Shore Drive.

The Highlights: A live auction was conducted by Sotheby’s Midwest, and included such items as brunch at Richard Driehaus’ estate in Lake Geneva or a week’s stay at a historic French home overlooking Monaco.

VIPs: Walter Jacobson of CBS 2 Chicago served as emcee, and welcomed such esteemed guests as overseas royalty, Louis Ehrhard of Lake Bluff (Benjamin Marshall’s great grandson), Jennifer McGregor of Lake Forest who served as co-chair, and Jane Lepauw of Lake Forest who serves as president.

The End Result: More than $250,000 was raised to bring an exhibit of Marshall’s work to Chicago and to publish a first book on the historic architect.

benjaminmarshallsociety.org

Photography by Jennifer Girard and Steve Starr