Touch the Past - Embrace The Future - Comely Bank the Home of Paul Harris

Our Legacy – The Birthplace of Rotary

Comely Bank

An important asset for the founding of Rotary

Comely BankHome of

Paul and Jean Harris

From 1912 until 1947&

Rotary International

Early Meeting Place

10856 S. Longwood Drive

Chicago, IL

Historical Markerissued by the Ridge Historical District.

Paul and Jean on the front steps in the 1920s. They named the house “Comely Bank” because that was the street’s name in Edinburgh, Scotland where Jean Harris had lived as a child.

In 1935, Japanese, Koreans and Chinese Rotarians presented Paul and Jean Harris with a similar Japanese Temple Lantern.

Paul and Jean in the enclosed sunroom in 1942 overlooking the International Friendship Garden.

Paul is putting out bird seed in his back yard with Silvester Schiele, one of the

four founders of Rotary and first President of Chicago Rotary One.

Paul looking out the kitchen window at some birds in his

back yard.

Many early meetings were held in the basement at Comely Bank. Pictured is the last meeting held in December 1942.

The last picture of Paul and Chicago One Rotarians in front of the fireplace in 1942.

International

Visitors

Small Conferenc

es

Rotary Tours Research

Inspiration

VISION - a meeting place

VISION - tribute to Paul Harris

Artifacts

Early Writings

Art Work

Exhibits

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Glenn Estess, Sr.; Luis Giay; Frank Devlyn, & William Boyd 2005

Sharing a piece of the ceremonial ribbon.Sakuji Tanaka, Estess, Sr., Luis Giay and Frank Devlyn.

View of Japanese Stone Temple Lantern looking north from Comely Bank.

Int’l Visitors

Small Conferences Rotary Tours

Research Inspiration

Paul Harris

Grave & Memorial

Comely Bank

Then and now….

Paul and Jean Harris in front of their fireplace in the 1942.

Paul Harris visiting with a member of the U.S. Navy in his Living room south west corner, in 1944.

Fundraising Goal – $5 million

Construction & Fundraising Expenses - $1.35 million

Contingency - $135,000 (10%)First Mortgage - $500,000

Second Mortgage - $500,000Minimum Endowment - $2.515 million

Touch the PastEmbrace the

Future