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Editor’s note:  Here’s some recent history. The 2019 docent class, AKA The Bovines, is known for its enthusiastic embrace of training . Class member Janet Volk prepared their final examination. We thought you would enjoy the read.

1 -Write a 500-word essay that compares and contrasts the bovines on the Board of Trade building.  Possible issues to consider: location of each bovine, original and present function, style, artist, size and shape.

2 -The dark green color of the Carbide and Carbon Building is supposed to represent:

a. Bile (hoping that the color would entice gastroenterologists to become tenants)
b. The natural color of the Chicago River in the 1920’s
c. A champagne bottle
d. All of the above.

3 – Daniel Burnham’s sons were:

a. Ben and Jerry
b. John, Paul, George and Ringo
c. Penn and Teller
d. The Older One and the Other One

4 – True/False: “The Pullman Strike” refers to the pitching of Abner Pullman (Chicago White Stockings, 1871-75).

 5 -True/False: The Monadnock Building’s name comes from a Native American saying which means “Is this building sinking or is it just me?”

6 – True/False/REALLY False: Louis Sullivan loved the Classical Revival Style.

7 – Think back to the architects you studied during CAC docent training.  Who do you think had the biggest ego?  Write a 500-word essay (or a book) to justify your answer.

8 – Who do you think had the smallest ego?  Write one sentence about that architect.

9 – The Gage Group is included in the Historic Treasures tour:

a. Because it is a good example of the Chicago commercial style
b. Because it demonstrates that there was once industry on Michigan Avenue
c. Because it is a good location to hear bucket boys
d. I’m still trying to figure out why.

10 – Many of the buildings on the Historic Treasures tour have Chicago windows.  Identify those buildings, compute the number of Chicago windows on each of those buildings, add them up and write your answer here:    _________________________________

12 – If someone asks you a question during your tour to which you do not know the answer:

a. Feel free to make up a semi-believable answer. (You may preface your answer with the words “Some say…”)
b. Say, “That reminds me of another question” and then give the answer (which you do know) to that question .
c. Say, “I know I learned the answer to your question when I was training to become a docent but the truth is we had so much info thrown at us that I can’t remember.”
d. Say, “I’ll get the answer to your question at the end of the tour” but hope they forget about their question.

 

 

13 – One of CAC’s Guiding Principles is to help humanize architecture for our audiences. Imagine you are the Gand Lecture Hall.  How would you describe yourself, your surroundings, your history, your style, the person who you were named after, the breakfast treats served there, the temperature, the sound system?  Write an essay (approximately 500 words) from the perspective of the Gand Lecture Hall.

14 – Plate glass used in Chicago buildings was produced in factories around:

a. The Newark Gas Field
b. The Jersey City Gas Field
c. The Hoboken Gas Field
d. The Hackensack Gas Field|
e. The Trenton Gas Field

15 – Write an example of an un-engaging question (e.g, an annoying or antagonistic question) for one of the Historic Treasures buildings.

16 – Agree/Disagree: Mies van der Rohe won the Mr. Congeniality Award at the 1953 American Institute of Architects Annual Convention & Pageant.

17 – Daniel Burnham is famous for the quote(s):  (Circle all correct answers)

a. “Anchors away!”
b. “That’s what she said.”
c. “Make no plans.”
d/ “Make no little plans.”

18 – The Reliance Building is now a hotel called:

a. Arriveavocado
b. Welcomewatermelon
c. Hellohoneydew
d. Staypineapple
e. Adiospapaya

19 – Bertha Palmer loved everything French.  It comes as no surprise that she purchased and brought back to Chicago French:

a. Fries
b. Berets
c. Bulldogs
d. Paintings
e. Films
f. All of the above

20- A famous jeweler rented a prime retail corner of the Palmer House.  What was the name of that jeweler?

a. A.B. Woodcock
b. C. D.  Peacock
c. A. F Andean Cock-of-the-Rock

21 – Write a 500-word description for each of the buildings on ALL of the CAC downtown walking tours.  (See class website for suggestions on writing building descriptions.)  Include one engaging question and one story for each building.  Submit to your reader.

22 – Chicago weather varies from day to day but CAC tours go on whatever the conditions may be.  CAC docents should be prepared to lead tours during times of:

a. Cool temperatures
b. Cold temperatures
c. Incredibly cold wind chills
d. Drizzle
e. Heavy downpours
f. Gusty winds
g. Light snow
h. Heavy snow
i. Blizzards
j. Seiches (Extra credit—write a 250 word description of a seiche and submit it to your reader)
k. Tornado watchesTornado warnings (if the siren sounds, move inside and do an interior tour)
l. Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! 40 years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes! The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!
m. Sunny warm days (HA—like that will ever happen!)
n. All of the above (and more)

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