By Brent Hoffmann, Class of 2005
When you think of notables who grew up in Montreal, Canada, who comes to mind? Vice President Kamala Harris, right? How about starchitect Frank Gehry? (Nice try, but he was born in Toronto.) Others from Montreal include Norma Shearer (star of one of the movie’s first talkies), Oscar Peterson (jazz pianist) and William Shatner (“Aye aye, Capt. Kirk!”) Now add one of our own to the list: Susan Jacobson.
Born and raised in Montreal, Susan attended McGill University, earning a B.A. in anthropology. She moved to the U.S. when she received a “foreign student scholarship” at Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she completed a masters degree in library and information science. “My first library job,” says Susan, “was as a part-time student employee at the law library of the University of Pennsylvania, and I worked at Penn for over 15 years. I then moved to New York where I initially worked at Hunter College and then at Columbia University’s Health Sciences Library.” In 1999 Susan relocated to Chicago to serve as Assistant University Librarian for the Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She retired in 2007.
From Paper to Online
Susan observes, “It was an exciting time to be a librarian as we moved from paper-based services to online databases. As an administrator, I was involved in all aspects of this transition — selecting, purchasing, marketing, and training.
“After moving to Chicago, I took a number of CAF tours as a way to get to know my new city,” she says. “I thought being a docent was something I might enjoy, but my work at the time was too demanding. On the very first day of my retirement there was a CAF orientation for the class of 2008. I attended and submitted my application the next day! I decided it must have been part of a grand plan for the next phase of my life.”
Susan is certified to lead the Historic Skyscrapers, Historic Treasures of Chicago’s Golden Age, Tiffany Treasures, the Marquette Building, Art Deco Riverfront, and Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Loop, Sacred Spaces in Downtown Chicago, Churches by Bus, and the Synagogues by Bus tours. Explains Susan, “My favorites are the ones I helped create: Tiffany Treasures and Synagogues by Bus. They’re favorites because I’ve come to know the material in such depth, and I enjoy the ‘wow’ moments that these tours elicit. When I had questions about Chicago and Tiffany, I often called the city’s cultural historian, Tim Samuelson. Presently, I’m working on a virtual tour of the architecture of Chicago Public libraries.
North of the Border
“When leading a tour, I’m often complimented for my enthusiasm,” she notes. “Guests won’t remember 90 percent of what a docent tells them, so my real goal is to teach them how to look at a building and its neighborhood. I hope they’ll then think of the tour as a fun learning experience.” Sometimes, guests recognize Susan as Canadian. “I still have a slight north-of-the-border accent, especially when saying ‘about’.”
Susan has been a long-time member of the docent tour committee, including three years as its co-chair. “The committee gives me a chance to experience a number of different tours and ensure that our tours maintain their high quality.” In 2018 she was one of the tour directors honored with a service award for her role in transitioning the Tiffany Treasures tour as part of the move to Wacker Drive.
“In addition to CAC, I am a member of the Saints volunteer theater ushering group,” she says. “In normal times, I try to usher several times a month, mostly for music and dance. I am a movie addict and, in non-pandemic times, the Siskel Film Center is my home away from home.” She also enjoys checking out flea markets and antique and resale shops to add to her collection of vintage kitchen wireware.
Susan and her partner have a home in the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia, not far from the Greenbrier Resort. “It’s a wonderful retreat from the normal hustle and bustle of Chicago. During the pandemic it’s been a great place to isolate ourselves. You drive down a dirt road and walk across a swinging bridge. Can’t get much more remote than that.”
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Nice write-up, Susan and Brent.
Great bio there Susan; never knew you were a Cannuck! Hope to see you at CAC or HOPEFULLY when the Saints are back in action
Bob Adamshick
I’ve known you for years now and didn’t know of your work life (not that I should have). It’s great to learn more about you and a pleasure to be a fellow docent with you. And thanks, Brent. Another job well done.