Lake Forest, Illinois, Spring 1995; “SEND US YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 1995 PRESERVATION AWARDS”: Lake Forest is often called “A Special Place,” with a distinctive sense of place; noted features include beautiful natural and planned open space, varied architectural styles in public buildings and private residences, careful attention to landscapes, and landmarks such as Forest Park Beach and Market Square; Lake Forest is also nationally recognized as distinctive: two areas designated National Register Historic Districts, a third (around Green Bay Road) under study, and five historic properties listed individually on the National Register; “Ragdale,” the home of architect Howard Van Doren Shaw (designer of Market Square), is referenced as the subject of an essay in Preserving American Mansions and Estates; the properties pictured in the article have been recognized by the Preservation Foundation because their owners preserved Lake Forest’s sense of place by maintaining, restoring, or enlarging buildings with special care, aiming to retain or accurately recreate historic exterior character; the Foundation has sponsored a multi-year competition to recognize such efforts and is asking for community participation to continue it.
Preservation Foundation Officers and Directors (Spring 1995)
Officers: Pauline M. Mohr—President; Susie Tiller—Vice President; Priscilla A. Billington—Vice President; Elaine B. Hughes—Secretary; Richard J. DuBourdieu—Treasurer.
Directors: Susan D. Bryant; Carol A. Champ; Thomas E. Eckland; William H. Emerson; Lynn C. Knutson; Geoffrey W. Luce; Beatrice Radcliffe; Patricia C. Riess; Anthony M. Ryerson; Christine Shaw; Linda L. Shields; Dan Sutherland; Lorraine A. Tweed; Sarah Wimmer.
Honorary Directors: Herbert Geist; Gail T. Hodges; Henry P. Wheeler.
In Memoriam: Edward H. Bennett, Jr.; David R. Moulton.
Annual Meeting Notice: Sunday, May 7, at 2 p.m.; held at 361 East Westminster, site of a future Museum to be developed for Lake Forest; presentation of 1995 Historic Preservation Awards and Middle School Essay Contest prizes; members-only tour of a significant Lake Forest historic property after the meeting; new members joining prior to May 7 also receive an invitation.
“REFLECTIONS” (President’s Message – Pauline M. Mohr): the preservation year is ending and the Foundation will begin a new year with new officers at the Annual Meeting; her final “President’s Message” reflects on endings/beginnings; she notes two major losses in December 1994 and January 1995—the deaths of Edward H. Bennett, Jr. (founding member and first president) and David R. Moulton (director at time of death)—and their service to Lake Forest and the Foundation; she reflects on Lake Forest’s exceptional natural setting (lake, forest, prairie) and the foresight of founders in respecting these features, creating “A Special Place”; she references the City updating the Comprehensive Plan to plan for the future amid forces of change and economic realities; highlights the challenge of managing growth and change to stay consistent with the community’s existing character—one of the Foundation’s founding principles.
Preservation Foundation Guidebook, Second Edition (Now Available): Guidebook to National Register Properties, Lake Forest, Illinois, Second Edition is announced as now available; first edition (1991) sold out; includes information on the two Lake Forest National Register Districts and five individually listed National Register properties; second edition includes two newly-listed National Register properties and a new street-address index; organized for walking/bicycle/auto tours with photos, maps, and suggested routes; price $15; available at Dans un Jardin, Gorton Community Center, Helanders, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest College Bookstore, and McMasters.
Preservation Awards Competition Details (1995): community is encouraged to nominate buildings for the 1995 Historic Preservation Awards competition, held in celebration of National Historic Preservation Week, May 14–20, 1995; you don’t have to own a building to nominate; Eligibility: any building in Lake Forest built before 1945; includes residential and buildings in commercial, business, institutional, or professional use; all sizes eligible (Sears houses to mansions; re-used barns to office buildings).
Who may nominate: any interested person (owner, neighbor, friend, admiring passerby); nominations require owner approval (secured by the Foundation).
Nomination forms: a green nomination form included; additional forms via writing to the Foundation (Box 813) or calling Linda Shields at 234-0257; all nominations due Saturday, April 22, 1995.
Judging: panel of judges from inside and outside Lake Forest considers entries the week of April 24; judges review from public streets; entries judged on preservation, restoration, renovation, adaptive re-use (definitions provided in the text).
Awards & presentation: winners honored at the Annual Meeting Sunday, May 7, 1995; awards are bronze plaques; following the meeting, winners and guests invited to tour a distinctive historic Lake Forest property.
Foundation Grant to Illinois River Valley Project (By Sarah Wimmer): describes the 1993 Mississippi River basin flooding (including serious flooding along the Illinois River) and impacts on historic sites; the Foundation discussed possible relief projects and chose a smaller area for impact; sought guidance from the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois; selected a project in Greene County (Eldred and Hillview, Illinois), supported by a Flood Relief Economic Recovery Assessment prepared for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in cooperation with the Illinois Valley Cultural Heritage Association (received Feb 1994); describes the area’s geographic/archeological significance (“Crossroads of Prehistoric America”), proximity to the Center for American Archeology (Kampsville) and the Koster site; provides 1990 census populations: Eldred 254, Hillview 271, Greene County 15,317; mentions a Lake Forest program recognizing the Foundation’s grant, featuring Bruce and Judie Hyde (Illinois Valley Cultural Heritage Association) and Eileen Cunningham (author of Lower Illinois Valley Limestone Houses); notes plans to preserve rare stone houses and develop a scenic byway along the Eldred–Hillview route, intended as a spur off the Great River Road.
Preservation Foundation Activities and Accomplishments (1994–1995)
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Pledged $10,000 grant toward exterior restoration of former Masonic Lodge at 261 East Westminster for conversion to a new Museum; notes Mohr and DuBourdieu also serving on the City’s Museum Committee developing plans/agreements/funding.
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Granted $8,170 to Gorton Community Center for restoration elements of the south façade of historic Edward F. Gorton School (1901), listed on the National Register; work included windows, walls, masonry, stucco, drains, sills, soffits.
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Published the Second Edition of Guide to National Register Properties: Lake Forest, Illinois.
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Shared funding with the City for a comprehensive survey of historically significant structures in Lake Forest (survey expected to be completed that year).
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Preparing nomination for Green Bay Road National Register Historic District (mapping/photography/research by the Foundation with property owner cooperation).
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Monitored Base Realignment and Closure process at Ft. Sheridan to encourage adaptive reuse of the historic district (National Register District and National Historic Landmark).
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Funded holiday decorations at the historic North Western Station (Foundation led the 1978–1985 restoration completed in 1985).
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Published the Preservation Foundation Newsletter (distributed without charge to all Lake Forest residents and businesses).
Save the Date (National Historic Preservation Week): Saturday, May 20, 1995—Tour of Historic Fort Sheridan in honor of National Historic Preservation Week; sponsored by the Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission; free bus and walking tours; buses leave from “the Tower” at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; reservations required; call 432-0867.
Membership Form / Join Us: The Lake Forest Foundation for Historic Preservation, Box 813, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045; membership categories listed: Member $35; Contributing $50; Sponsor $100; Sustaining $250; Life Member contribution to the Revolving Fund ($1,000 or more); option to volunteer actively.
National Historic Preservation Week May 14–20, 1995: Lake Forest will join the nationwide celebration of the 22nd annual National Historic Preservation Week, theme “Real People, Real Places, Real History,” co-sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and locally by the Lake Forest Foundation for Historic Preservation; the Preservation Foundation will present annual Preservation Awards on May 7; notes the City Council proclaimed May 1995 as “Howard Van Doren Shaw Month” (April 3 proclamation), recognizing Shaw’s significance and Market Square’s enduring function as a pleasant marketing and gathering place; mentions preservation partners including Shaw’s granddaughter Alice Ryerson Hayes, Lake Forest Open Lands Association, and the Ragdale Foundation.
