Gorton Community Center

Gorton Community Center is one of only a few privately-funded community centers in the United States and serves as a unique partnership between community volunteers and the City of Lake Forest. Adults and children find quality programs here, from classes, dance, film, performing arts, and day care. The second floor houses a variety of resident non-profits including the offices of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.

Designed, built and opened as the Central School in 1901, the original building was designed by James Gamble Rogers and remodeled in 1907 by Howard Van Doren Shaw, the designer of Market Square. Throughout the decades Gorton has had many additions, both as a school and community center. In 2014 the 309 seat theater was renovated and renamed the John & Nancy Hughes Theater in honor of the late Lake Forest resident and director.

www.gortoncenter.org