Madras Inherited

Located in Central Oregon, USA, the city of Madras carries with it an intriguing tale — that the town derived its name from a bolt of “Madras” cloth, a story still favoured by many pioneers and longtime residents. The region’s history stretches back a millennia, long before European settlement, when indigenous communities inhabited the area.

In the late 19th century, settlers gradually began moving into the area, which was then commonly referred to as “The Basin” because of its oval-shaped valley setting. Development accelerated after the Homestead Act of 1862, which encouraged migration by granting 160 acres of public land to settlers willing to live on and cultivate it for at least five years. Farming and ranching soon became the backbone.

Among the early homesteaders was Scandinavian immigrant John A. Palmehn. In 1902, Palmehn attempted to name the settlement “Palmain,” an Americanised version of Palmehn. However, the U.S. Postal Department rejected the proposal because it closely resembled another post office name, Palmer, and could create confusion in mail delivery. The name “Madras” was then adopted instead. Some accounts suggest it was inspired by the city of Chennai — also known as Madras — reflecting settlers’ fascination with global trade and exotic goods, though the exact origin remains debated.

A major turning point came with the arrival of the railroad in the early 20th century, which strengthened the local economy and established Madras as an important regional trade centre. During the Second World War, the Madras Army Air Base, now the Madras Municipal Airport, became a key military training facility. At a time when the town’s population had fallen below 300 residents, the base provided a much-needed economic boost and contributed significantly to local growth and infrastructure development.

Today, Madras is best known as a high-desert destination for outdoor recreation, agriculture, aviation, and aviation-based tourism.

Then, and even now, Madras in the United States shared little in common with Madras in India. Yet the name, though its origin remains debated, has endured.



Research and Curation Shivani

🔔 New Walk Alert! 🔔

A walk down magnificent Mount Road is a walk down the city’s history. Known as one of the single longest roads in the city, Mount Road, or Anna Salai, dates back to pre-British times when it served as an ancient thoroughfare linking villages.

Throughout its evolution, it has been home to historic and iconic institutions that span from institutional to educational, and from entertainment to commercial. These landmarks offer a unique lens through which to understand various aspects of Madras’ history.

Join us as we make this attempt to look at the macro history and heritage of the city through the lens of Mount Road. Come explore the stories of educational institutions, legendary cinema theatres that defined the city’s entertainment, political factions that shaped the state’s leadership, and century-old businesses such as — all of whom chose Mount Road to be their prestigious address.

The walk will be led by Ashmitha Athreya.

Date of the walk: 21st June 2026, Sunday
Time of the walk: 06:30 - 09:00 a.m.
Assembling point: Christ Church Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School

If you’re interested in attending the walk, DM for the registration link! In case of any queries, feel free to get in touch with us.

📸 Binsan Oommen Baby

The land of St. Peter’s, of the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher, of the oldest railway station in South India, of institutions and establishments decades and centuries old, and of the diverse communities and cultures that make the area vivid and lively – the northern suburb of Royapuram is a land of treasures.

Join us and behold the town unfold, the remnants of the past co-existing with the modern developments, as well as the religious harmony that this locality proudly exhibits and espouses.

Walk with us around the Madha Streets of Royapuram and discover the town with us!

The walk will be led by Ashmitha Athreya.

Date of the walk: 20th June 2026, Saturday
Time of the walk: 06:30 - 08:30 a.m.
Assembling point: St. Peter’s Church, South Madha Church Street

If you’re interested in attending the walk, DM for the registration link! In case of any queries, feel free to get in touch with us.

📸 Binsan Oommen Baby

Madras grew over a number of years to become a sprawling British presidency. It found roots in localities such as George Town. This makes for breathtaking narratives, as every nook and corner holds years of layered chronicles waiting to be unearthed.

Join us on this captivating exercise as we explore and discover the pre-independence phase when stunning masterpieces were built to form the ‘European City.’ Understand the history and architecture behind some early British business enterprises in the area and regale in the stories that led to the establishment of large-scale, stately buildings in the area.

From business establishments to institutions, George Town epitomises the birth and growth of a city which today is a metropolitan hub.

The walk will be led by Ashmitha Athreya.

Date of the walk: 14th June 2026, Sunday
Time of the walk: 06:30 - 09:00 a.m.
Assembling point: Entrance of Dare House, Parrys Corner

If you’re interested in attending the walk, DM for the registration link! In case of any queries, feel free to get in touch with us.

📸 Binsan Oommen Baby

Ezhumbur, as Egmore is known in Tamil, is a locality with a historical narrative that sets it apart from the rest of the city. Having seen extensive transformations and growth under various native rulers and Southern empires, and later the colonisers, the Egmore of today is a spectacular amalgamation of some of the finest institutions and residences, as well as large-scale urban growth and development.

The architecture and history of these heritage structures reflect the area’s illustrious past while continuing to redefine its present; there is no better road than Pantheon Road to experience this gloriousness and absorb the air of brilliance that the locality exudes.

Join us as we walk along the Pantheon, immerse ourselves in the Egmore of the 1800s, 1900s, and 2000s, and revel in the stories of the people and community that have contributed to shaping this significant locality.

The walk will be led by Ashmitha Athreya.

Date of the walk: 13th June 2026, Saturday
Time of the walk: 06:30 - 08:30 a.m.
Assembling point: Outside Tamilnadu Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society

If you’re interested in attending the walk, DM for the registration link! In case of any queries, feel free to get in touch with us.

On May 17th, we commemorated International Museum Day, celebrated annually on May 18th, by organising one of our most exciting walks — a journey through the National Art Gallery located within the historic Government Museum complex in Egmore.

This walk, curated by Ankita Merwin, who interned with us in 2023, provides a unique opportunity to explore one of the city’s most significant cultural repositories. Through this curated experience, our primary aim was to examine art in an objective manner, applying a comprehensive understanding through a historical lens. The walk, aptly titled ‘Art and the Artist,’ was designed to go beyond the subjective appreciation; it delves deep into the societal, historical, and cultural contexts in which the art was originally created, exploring how these external factors influenced and impacted decisions and artistic choices.

If you find this approach to exploring heritage and art through a contextual lens interesting, we encourage you to stay tuned and join us for our next scheduled walk!

Walk Design, Research, and Curation by Ankita Merwin
Research and Lead by Ashmitha Athreya
Creative Design by Shivani Sathesh

North Beach Road, or Rajaji Salai, is home to some of the most striking architectural masterpieces and fascinating histories that have played an integral role in shaping the Madras that we know today. A walk down Rajaji Salai is a walk down history. In the heydays of the British conquest, this road was chosen to be the perfect canvas to exhibit the might and splendour of the conquerors.

Establishments such as the General Post Office, the State Bank of India, and the HSBC Bank, to name a few, came to be painted on this canvas. Over the decades, it came to house other important spaces such as the Burma Bazaar and the Chennai Beach Railway Station, and operates with a pulse unique to the road.

Join us as we walk down this impressive stretch and discover initiatives and stories that have transformed North Beach Road over time and have contributed to its significant role in the commercial and architectural history of the city.

The walk will be led by Ashmitha Athreya.

Date of the walk: 07th June 2026, Sunday
Time of the walk: 06:30 - 08:30 a.m.
Assembling point: Corporation Park, near the Royapuram Flyover

If you’re interested in attending the walk, DM for the registration link! In case of any queries, feel free to get in touch with us.

📸 Binsan Oommen Baby

Originally a village developed for weavers, Chintadripet played a vital role in the East India Company’s trade in cloth and thrived under the support and encouragement of the Britishers. Beyond that, Chintadripet was home to individuals and communities who have shaped the locality and its development.

Today, Chintadripet is popular for its fish market, its fascinating history lost in the past. The remnants of its bygone era can be found in the old houses, age-old markets, traditional businesses, educational and religious institutions, and its residents.

Come join us on this exploration and discover stories of vision, perseverance, legacy, tradition, and philanthropy.

Come discover Chintadripet!

The walk will be led by Ashmitha Athreya.

Date of the walk: 06th June 2026, Saturday
Time of the walk: 06:30 - 08:30 a.m.
Assembling point: Aadhi Vinayagar Temple, Nainiappan Street

If you’re interested in attending the walk, DM for the registration link! In case of any queries, feel free to get in touch with us.

📸 Binsan Oommen Baby