Celebrating Our 20th Year of Achieving Progress Through Preservation, Lake Forest Preservation Foundation, Lake Forest, Illinois Summer 1996; WALDEN-BLUFF’S EDGE BRIDGE—TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE IT, WE’RE WELL ON THE WAY TO THE GOAL OF $100,000, Bridge Chairman Anthony M. Ryerson reports: “We’re well on the way to success, but we need lots more dollars and donors to meet the $100,000 goal by December 31. Lake Foresters across the City should join to save this extraordinary part of our heritage.”; WHY YOUR HELP IS IMPORTANT: The Walden-Bluff’s Edge Bridge, built in 1901 as the gateway to the Cyrus McCormick estate, “Walden,” is an innovative bridge and one of the few surviving amenities of “Walden.” Closed to vehicular traffic since 1972, the bridge continues in daily use as a scenic pedestrian crossing. It will be demolished without private gifts added to City funds; ONE OF ILLINOIS’ TEN MOST ENDANGERED SITES: “Unique and irreplaceable,” were the terms used by Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois in declaring Walden-Bluff’s Edge Bridge one of the ten most threatened historic sites in Illinois. “When a historic place is destroyed, the loss to the community and future generations is permanent.”; HERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN HELP: Bid on Mark McMahon’s Bridge Painting, or Order a Print for Framing—Foundation Director Christine Shaw commissioned Lake Forest artist Mark McMahon to create a 22″x30″ painting of the Bridge and Walden Ravine, the full-color framed original watercolor painting is being offered in a silent auction to benefit the Bridge Fund (continued on page 5); PRESERVATION FOUNDATION OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Officers: Richard J. DuBourdieu—President, Carol A. Champ—Vice President, Susan D. Bryant—Vice President, Louise Weithas—Secretary, Patricia C. Riess—Treasurer; Directors: Marcia Bennett, Priscilla A. Billington, William H. Emerson, Ute Haberli, Elaine B. Hughes, Lynn C. Knutson, Pauline M. Mohr, Alice Moulton-Ely, Kimberly Nicastro, Shirley Paddock, Anthony M. Ryerson, David Schlott, Christine Shaw, Linda L. Shields, Dan Sutherland, Susie Tiller, Sarah Wimmer; Honorary Directors: Herbert Geist, Gail T. Hodges, Lorraine A. Tweed, Henry P. Wheeler; In Memoriam: Edward H. Bennett, Jr., David R. Moulton; PRESIDENTS OF THE LAKE FOREST FOUNDATION FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION: Edward H. Bennett, Jr., 1976-1978, Gayle K. Dompke, 1978-1980, Gail T. Hodges, 1980-1982, Herbert Geist, 1982-1984, Lorraine A. Tweed, 1984-1986, Henry P. Wheeler, 1986-1988, Linda L. Shields, 1988-1990, Sarah Wimmer, 1990-1992, 1994-1995, Pauline M. Mohr, 1992-1994; ON CELEBRATING 20 YEARS: A Founders’ Day Celebration—On Founders’ Day, Sunday, August 4, at 4 p.m., the Lake Forest Foundation for Historic Preservation will celebrate 20 years of helping the community conserve its historic visual heritage by encouraging “progress through preservation,” the celebration will be marked by the dedication of the Edward H. Bennett, Jr., Memorial Bell on the east platform of the downtown railroad station; The Bennett Memorial Bell: Recognizing Our First President—Ted Bennett was the founding President of the Preservation Foundation, his leadership brought focus to the need for preservation of the qualities that we often tend to take for granted in Lake Forest, he knew the value and fragility of architecture and design as skill and craft, being both a skilled architect and the son of the co-designer of the Chicago Plan, he knew the value of open space and prairie to Lake Forest’s sense of place and took active measures to ensure their future, he grew up in the landmark “Bagatelle” at the corner of Deer Path and Green Bay Road, and he witnessed many changes in Lake Forest over his lifetime here, he took the time to care and to write about our town’s architectural and open space treasures even after his opportunity to be out and about enjoying them became limited; the Bennett Memorial Bell, an antique owned by Mr. Bennett and provided for the enjoyment of the community by his widow Kay Bennett, will honor his life work as architect, historic preservationist, and city and regional planner, it will be rung to announce special civic occasions such as Lake Forest Day and the Market Square Tree Lighting Ceremony, and will be on display throughout the rest of the year; Preservation Choices—Don’t Leave Them to Chance: Lake Forest moves toward buildout, the pressures of development mount, the destiny of the remaining open space acreage in the City soon will be determined, without creativity and determination development will be maximized, with care considerable conservation can be achieved, infill development particularly within the City’s historic districts increases, demolition requests are on the rise, there appears to be a trend toward lot consolidation as well as subdivision, both with the goal of building the largest allowable residence on the target property; Lake Forest as a “city in a park” is a fragile entity, the responsibility for achieving contextual compatibility lies with the City’s staff, Plan Commission, Building Review Board, and ultimately City Council, nearly every recent government meeting has included at least one petition with a potential detrimental effect on Lake Forest’s historic visual character, if you care let our public officials know your concern and join the Foundation in its efforts, just as Walden-Bluff’s Edge Bridge can be saved if we work together so also can the visual quality of our unique community be preserved, commitment is key as demonstrated by winners of the 1996 Preservation Awards described opposite on pages 3-4; The Perfect Gift for Lake Forest Day, PRESERVATION FOUNDATION GUIDEBOOK, Second Edition; The Preservation Foundation Newsletter is published by The Lake Forest Foundation for Historic Preservation and distributed without charge to the residents and businesses in the City of Lake Forest; your purchase of The Foundation’s award-winning Guidebook to National Register Properties, Lake Forest, Illinois, Second Edition supports activities to preserve the historic visual character of Lake Forest, the Guidebook received the 1996 Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois Richard Driehaus Award for publications, fully illustrated it includes information on the Lake Forest and Vine-Oakwood-Green Bay National Register Historic Districts as well as on individually listed properties, organized for use on walking bicycle or auto tours, the book includes an address index, maps, and suggested tour routes, copies at $15 each are available at B. Dalton Bookstore, Dans un Jardin, Gorton Community Center, Helanders, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest College Bookstore, and McMasters; WITH YOUR HELP, THE HISTORIC WALDEN BLUFF’S EDGE BRIDGE WILL CONTINUE TO SPAN WALDEN RAVINE; (continued from page 1) the original painting can be viewed during July at Northern Trust Bank on Deer Path where Sealed Bid Forms may be obtained, bids will be accepted through September, minimum bid is $1,500 and amounts over $1,500 are tax-deductible to the winner; numbered and signed prints of the painting hand-colored by the artist and measuring 22″x15″ also may now be ordered, cost is $150 each with $100 tax-deductible to the purchaser (see order form below); Attend the September 28 Bridge House Walk—mark your calendar for September 28 when Director Priscilla Billington has announced plans for a House and Garden Walk at four properties near Walden Bridge, watch your mail and local press for further details; Make a Donation of Any Size to the Bridge Fund—gifts both large and small are urgently needed, pledges of support may be extended through December 1997, send your contribution or pledge with the form below, all donations and pledges will be acknowledged by the Foundation, an Illinois not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to preserving Lake Forest’s historic visual character, if donations plus designated City of Lake Forest funds are insufficient to rebuild the bridge your gift will remain a charitable donation to the Foundation itself, or you may check the box below and we will return your gift by year end 1996; Watch Your Mail and Local Newspapers for Other Opportunities to Support the Bridge Fund—the Foundation thanks the local press and North Shore Magazine all of which have given wonderful coverage to this important project, watch the press for the most up-to-date information; Volunteer Your Time and Talent—a group of residents living near the Bridge has been particularly supportive with funds and volunteer efforts, as have the Runners’ Club local merchants and many others, if you would like to join the community-wide group of volunteers working on this project call Foundation President Richard DuBourdieu, 234-4051; REMEMBER, THE BRIDGE WILL BE DESTROYED IF SUFFICIENT FUNDS ARE NOT RAISED PRIVATELY: the Lake Forest City Council voted in December to spend no more than $201,000 on the Bridge (estimate for demolition and ravine stabilization approximating City costs if an IDOT grant requiring vehicular access had been accepted), restoration and reconstruction for pedestrian use will cost over $300,000, the pedestrian-use plan will retain the historic arches and design features of the bridge, unless at least $100,000 of additional required funds can be raised privately by December 31, 1996, the historic bridge will be demolished on the basis of being a safety hazard; THREE WAYS TO HELP SAVE WALDEN-BLUFF’S EDGE BRIDGE: The Preservation Foundation, Box 813, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045, MAKE A DONATION OR PLEDGE—donations are tax-deductible, pledges become deductible when paid, enclosed is my/our donation of $ , I/We also pledge a later gift of $ to be paid in full before December 31, 1997; ORDER A McMAHON WALDEN BRIDGE PRINT—orders are for early fall delivery of a 22″x15″ limited edition print signed and hand-colored by the artist ready for framing, price per print is $150 in advance, $100 is a tax-deductible donation to the Bridge Fund, my/our check is enclosed for prints; BID ON THE ORIGINAL WALDEN BRIDGE PAINTING BY MARK McMAHON—to bid for the framed original 30″x22″ watercolor by Mark McMahon please use a Sealed Bid Form, bids will be accepted through September 1996, minimum bid is $1,500, that portion of the winning bid exceeding $1,500 is a tax-deductible donation to the Bridge Fund, please send me/us a Sealed Bid Form and Mailing Envelope; please make your check payable to the Preservation Foundation Bridge Fund, future pledges may be made over the period until December 31, 1997, if total funds raised and pledged for restoration by December 1996 are deemed insufficient your tax-deductible gift will remain a charitable donation to the Foundation itself, or optionally check the following box and we will return your gift by year-end 1996; Mr./Mrs./Ms., Telephone, Address; WINNERS OF THE 1996 PRESERVATION FOUNDATION AWARDS: at its Annual Meeting, May 19, 1996, the Foundation announced its sixth annual Preservation Awards, seven Lake Forest property owners were recognized, the awards were determined by a panel of judges comprised of Foundation Director Kimberly Nicastro, Chairman; past President and Director Linda Shields, Director Lynn Knutson, Lake Forest College Librarian and Historian Arthur Miller, architect and Building Review Board member Beverly Sanchez, and architectural historian Susan Benjamin, the following text is adapted from remarks made by Mrs. Nicastro at the Annual Meeting and data supplied with nomination forms; HISTORIC RESTORATION AWARDS: these awards are given only to projects that follow to the letter the strictest guidelines of the Secretary of the Interior’s “Standards for Rehabilitation”; Restoration of Historical Landscape Features—Dr. and Mrs. Ronald DeBruin were the winners of the first award for restoration of landscape features, their home was built on a portion of the grounds of “Villa Turricum,” the estate of Harold McCormick and Edith Rockefeller McCormick, architect Charles Adam Platt designed for the McCormicks what was once described as “the finest example in America of the Italian treatment in landscape design,” when the DeBruins purchased the property the magnificent structures had been left to vandals and the elements, the DeBruins have carefully and lovingly restored the original lily pond, fountains, stone walkways, stone walls, and a series of terraces that break the descent to the beach; Restoration of a Landscape Gate—Mr. and Mrs. William Wiegand’s property includes the original main entrance gates to the A. B. Dick estate designed in 1902 by architect James Gamble Rogers, anyone traveling Deer Path west in recent months has no doubt noticed the incredible effort put forth by the Wiegands who removed the limestone top pieces dismantled the base and rebuilt the entrance using all original iron and limestone pieces; HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS: these awards are given in recognition of continued maintenance of a historic building keeping it in good repair while preserving its historic integrity, the Foundation thinks of this award as the “Good Steward” award for protecting the past for generations to come; The Clayton Mark House—Mr. and Mrs. Themas Eckland have taken much pride in repairing and preserving their home and its extensive outdoor gardens including walkways terraces and reflecting pool, their home was designed in 1912 by Howard Van Doren Shaw for the prominent Chicago industrialist Clayton Mark; The Wayne Chatfield-Taylor House—Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Stansell have carefully restored and renovated their home since purchasing it in 1990, the neoclassical Federal-style residence was designed in 1925 by the Chicago firm of Rebori, Wentworth Bewey, and McCormick, and is one of the few single-family structures designed by the firm which specialized in commercial and multifamily buildings, it was commissioned by Mrs. Wayne Chatfield-Taylor (Rose Farwell) and built in 1928; Barat College—the Georgian Revival building shown at the top of page 4 has served as the heart of Barat College since 1904, designed by Egan and Prindville the building houses classrooms faculty offices lovely chapel and other college facilities; WINNERS OF THE 1996 PRESERVATION FOUNDATION AWARDS HISTORIC RENOVATION AWARDS: in this category the Foundation considers appropriate additions or modifications, changes must be sensitive to original materials massing and design elements; 104 East Westminster—Mr. and Mrs. Clay Bodine used a turn-of-the-century photo for reference in restoring the period details of their two-story frame house which was built in 1896, fish-scale shingles and authentic paint colors were among the period characteristics restored, an intimate north yard leads to a former stable that was also restored, architect Paul Janicki assisted the Bodine family in achieving family living objectives of the 1990s within the style and scale of their in-town turn-of-the-century vernacular home; Frank Wenban Home—Mr. and Mrs. William Cyphers used original blueprints to maintain the historical integrity of their home while creating the perfect example of how a historic home can meet the needs of a modern family beautifully, the house was designed by Lake Forest architect Stanley D. Anderson and built in 1923 for Frank Wenban, great care was taken throughout the project to match moldings details and hardware to the original structure including those in an addition added at the rear of the house, the original detached garage incorporates elements of the house and appears as a small cottage set in a lovely garden; COMMENDATION FOR SENSITIVE RESTORATION OF A STORE FRONT: Einstein Bros. Bagels restored their store front to match the details of the design shown in a pre-1918 photo of the Griffith Block building; “Whereas most people today equate suburban development with negligent planning and incompetent design, the earliest garden suburbs (like Lake Forest) were distinguished precisely by the sophistication of their layouts and the quality of their architecture…Good planning and imaginative architecture made the garden suburbs popular with the buying public, but more important, they also assured their longevity…” (Witold Rybczynski in Urban Expectations in a New World, available at Lake Forest Library), and repeated again; WALDEN-BLUFF’S EDGE BRIDGE—TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE IT, Here Is How You Can Help Save One of Illinois’ Ten Most Endangered Sites: *Make a Donation or a Pledge to the Bridge Fund, *Bid on Mark McMahon’s Painting of the Bridge, *Support the Foundation’s September 28 Bridge Benefit House and Garden Walk, *Order a Print of the McMahon Bridge Painting, *Join Other Volunteers Supporting the Bridge Campaign; “We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.” Sir Winston Churchill, and repeated again; JOIN us! THE LAKE FOREST FOUNDATION FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION Box 813, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045, I/We want to help preserve the historic character of Lake Forest, please enroll me/us in the selected membership category (contributions are tax deductible, please make checks payable to The Preservation Foundation), Mr./Ms., Mrs., Miss, Street, Telephone, City, State, Zip, I/We would like to work actively with the Foundation, please call me/us to discuss areas of interest, the Preservation Foundation, an Illinois 501(c)(3) public foundation, is open to all who share its goal of progress through preservation, Member-Annual Dues $35, Contributing Member-Annual Dues $50, Sponsor-Annual Dues $100, Sustaining Member-Annual Dues $250, Life Member-Contribution to the Revolving Fund in the amount of $1,000 or more, no annual dues required.
