CHICAGO.- Do We Dare Squander Chicago’s Great Architectural Heritage? a new, free exhibition, is open through May 9 at the Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan Avenue. The exhibition includes architectural artifacts from the Tribune, Fisher, Santa Fe, and Monadnock buildings, a rare film--featuring photographer and preservationist Richard Nickel, of the demolition of Adler & Sullivan’s Chicago Stock Exchange, photographs by Nickel and Ron Gordon, and objects and images relating to Chicago preservation efforts.

Nickel’s 1960 fight to save Adler & Sullivan’s Garrick Theater sparked the modern preservation movement. The exhibition focuses on three motivations behind the desire to preserve the built environment: to celebrate design, to foster identity, and to revitalize city life.

Do We Dare Squander Chicago’s Great Architectural Heritage? examines the role of historic preservation in the construction of Chicago and its identity. It features the stories of individuals and grassroots groups who have undertaken preservation campaigns and evaluates the results of their actions. “Understanding what moves Chicagoans to treasure and preserve their environment reveals what they value, and what they want their city to be,” said Gregory Dreicer, Vice President of Exhibitions and Programs

Many CAF programs complement the exhibition and are open to the public. Details and dates are available at www.architecture.org. Chicagoans discuss their viewpoints on preservation on the website at: www.architecture.org/dowedare.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation is a fitting host for Squander because a group of preservationists, formed in 1966 to save H. H. Richardson’s Glessner House on Prairie Avenue, birthed the organization. The Chicago Architecture Foundation has grown to serve more than 400,000 people a year through tours, exhibitions, and education programs.