Wermich-Northcenter News Collection
Content Description
The Wermich-Northcenter News Collection contains records from the Wermich family and the Northcenter News, the weekly neighborhood newspaper that they founded and published for many years. Items in the collection include issues of the newspaper from the 1950s and 1960s; minutes, correspondence and newspaper clippings about the North Center Commercial Association; and miscellaneous files about other neighborhood organizations.
Dates
- 1890-1983, undated
Creator
- Northcenter News (Chicago, IL) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Biographical note
Clarence Wermich was born on July 11, 1897 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Otto and Emma Wermich. Marie was born on October 6, 1900 in Chicago to parents Joseph and Elizabeth Weiblinger. Clarence and Marie were married in Feburary 1919. They had one daughter, LaVerne born on March 29, 1920.
Clarence Wermich was the founder and publisher of the Northcenter News, which he started in 1925. He was also co-owner and operator of radio station WKBI. He was a Navy veteran of World War I and the member of many local business and civic organizations. He was the former president of the Northcenter Lions Club, the Northcenter Commercial Association, and the North Side Printers Guild. When Clarence died in 1963, Marie took over the business until 1982 when it closed.
Marie held leadership positions in many local organizations. She served as president of the Sauganash Woman's Club from 1953-1995; Executive Director of the Chicago Women's Bowling Association from 1972-1984; Executive Secretary of the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce until 1984; and board member of the Ravenswood-Lake View Historical Association. She began bowling in 1925 and bowled in 48 national tournaments.
Clarence Wermich died at the age of 65 on May 11, 1963. Marie Wermich died at the age of 85 on April 20, 1985.
Extent
2.5 Linear Feet (in 2 boxes, 13 oversized folders and 87 photographs)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Wermich-North Center News Collection contains records from the Clarence and Marie Wermich, who published the neighborhood newspaper the Northcenter News. Items in the collection include issues of the newspaper from the 1940s - 1960s; minutes, correspondence and newspaper clippings about the North Center Commercial Association; miscellaneous files about other neighborhood organizations, and photographs.
Arrangement
The Wermich-Northcenter News Collection is arranged in 3 series: Series 1: Documents and records, 1913-1978, undated; Series 2: Newspapers, 1943-1967; Series 3: Photographs, 1890-1983, undated.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by LaVerne Wermich, 1985 June-July. LaVerne Wermich is the daughter of Clarence W. and Marie Wermich, the publishers of the Northcenter News.
- Community life -- Illinois -- Chicago -- History -- Sources. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Community newspapers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- North Center (Chicago, Ill.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Source
- Wermich, LaVerne, 1920-2005 (Donor, Person)
Creator
- Northcenter News (Chicago, IL) (Organization)
- North Center Commercial Association (Chicago, IL) (Organization)
- Wermich, Clarence W., 1897-1963 (Person)
- Wermich, Marie, 1900-1985 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Wermich-Northcenter News Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Original author unknown. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Julie Lynch, 2021.
- Date
- 1985
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Northside Neighborhood History Collection Repository
Sulzer Regional Library
Chicago Public Library
4455 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago IL 60625 United States
(312) 742-4455
northsidehistory@chipublib.org