Ukrainian Village & East Village
Originally founded by Polish immigrants, the Ukrainian Village has been a hub for Ukrainian life since the turn of the 20th century, with ornate Ukrainian churches and many ethnic restaurants, stores and businesses. Due to its proximity, Ukrainian Village has also experienced some of the brimming commercial development of the Bucktown & Wicker Park neighborhoods.
The Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago is located at 2249 W Superior St. Its collection consists of over 1,140 artifacts including those related to traditional folk arts, agricultural tools, artwork, musical instruments, trophies, and much more. For more information visit the museum’s website.
East Village was originally settled by German and Polish immigrants. Toward the end of the 19th century the neighborhood was so saturated with the Polish community that the area around Ashland and Division become known as the “Polish Downtown.” The coarser elements of this era are illustrated in two Nelson Algren novels: The Man With the Golden Arm and Never Come Morning.
With the construction of the Kennedy Expressway and the displacement of many residents, the neighborhood experienced a demographic shift with the Latino community forming a significant presence. Beginning in the 1990s the area became a hot-bed of development with modern structures and large condominium buildings replacing many modest two-flats and single-family homes. Today the neighborhood is a mixture of cultures and residents as exemplified by contemporary restaurants settling in next to decades-old taquerias.
To learn more about East Village & Ukrainian Village, visit the Chicago Reader’s Neighborhood Guide.
Neighborhood Community Groups
East Village Association
2002 W Chicago
Chicago, IL 60622
president@eastvillagechicago.org
President: Greg Nagel
Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association
infouvna@gmail.com
President: Paul Matwyshyn
Local Chamber of Commerce
West Town Chamber of Commerce
1819 W Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 850-9390
info@westtownchamber.org
Executive Director: Kara H. Salgado