26 Jan protest objects from 1971 demolition of adler and sullivan’s chicago stock exchange building

objects used in the protest over the demolition of adler & sullivan’s chicago stock exchange building (1894) building in 1972. the battle was lost and the building was destroyed. during the course of demolition, architectural photographer richard nickel was killed salvaging ornament when a portion of the trading room collapsed above him.

kodachrome slide of richard nickel in 1972 – photographed by john vinci. both nickel and vinci where shooting the chicago stock exchange demolition using hasselblad 500c cameras.

john vinci kodachrome slide taken in april of 1972. nickel was buried deep in the rubble. courtesy of john vinci archive.

much of the building’s ornament, including sections of the trading room stencils, molded pilaster capitals, and art glass were saved and distributed to various intuitions across the world. in 1977 architects john vinci and larry kenny worked with the art institute to reconstruct of the stock exchange’s trading room in a new wing of the museum using materials salvaged from the original building. around the same time, the monumental terra cotta entry arch of the stock exchange was erected on the museum grounds near the corner of monroe street and columbus drive.

john vinci kodachrome slide documenting \reconstruction of adler and sullivan’s chicago stock exchange building trading room. thankfully, john dated each and every slide, so we have a concise timeline of the room’s reconstruction.

 protest objects:

landmarks preservation council single-sided signs of stock exchange’s arch taken from an original silkscreen by kirby green in 1971. courtesy of john vinci archive.

chicago stock exchange demolition. inland architect, january, 1972. courtesy of john vinci archive.

original 1971 brightly colored green button worn by protesters. courtesy of bldg. 51 museum archive.