2001 Summer Newsletter

PRESERVATION FOUNDATION OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Officers Linda L. Shields PRESIDENT Janet Gibson Vice PRESIDENT, MEMBERSHIP Arthur H. Miller, Jr. Vice PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS Marcia Bennett SECRETARY Alice Moulton-Ely TREASURER Directors David Bahlman Edward H. Bennett, Ill Paul Bergmann Priscilla A. Billington James M. Brown Susan Dillon Bryant Carol A. Champ Susan Halle Judith Harris Elaine B. Hughes Pauline M. Mohr Kimberly Nicastro Shirley Paddock Patricia C. Riess Beverly J. Sanchez David Schlott Christine L. Shaw Dan Sutherland Louise Weithas Honorary Directors Herbert Geist Gail T. Hodges Lorraine A. Tweed Henry P. Wheeler Sarah O. Wimmer In Memoriam Edward H. Bennett, Jr. Richard J. DuBourdieu Leonard Everson David R. Moulton Henry Preston PRESIDENTS OF THE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION 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 Sarah D. Wimmer, 1988-1990, 1992-1993 Linda L. Shields, 1990-1992 Pauline M. Mohr, 1993-1995, 1997-1999 Richard J. DuBourdieu, 1995-1997 Edward H. Bennett, Ill, 1999-2001 Preservation! is published by The Lake Forest Foundation for Historic Preservation, Box 813, Lake Forest IL 60045, (847) 234-1230, www.LFPF.org, President’s Message A recent Robb Report described Lake Forest real estate listings as sometimes reading like the pages of a history book, the fascinating and rich history of Lake Forest can be found in its structures, the stories of the early residents who owned these sites, and the work of the architects they hired to build them, twenty-five years ago, on August 4, 1976, the Preservation Foundation was formed when there was concern that this special history might be at risk, the purpose of the Foundation was to conserve and perpetuate the historic character of Lake Forest by the preservation of its sites, structures, and amenities, this was to be accomplished through education, public awareness, and actions resulting from research and studies, that mission continues to guide our organization today, our accomplishments over the past twenty-five years are due to the work of the many volunteers who share a passion for the historic character of Lake Forest and a commitment to preserve it, they have a vision for the future that includes a responsibility to future generations as earlier generations had for us, on the occasion of our twenty-fifth anniversary, I would like to recognize and thank my fellow preservationists, the five founders, the eleven presidents, the many directors who have served on our boards, and the countless volunteers who have lent a hand for our many projects and tours, I want also to recognize the many homeowners who have put their talents and resources into saving historic structures, your investments have improved the quality of life for all of us, your sharing of your homes and stories help us spread the preservation message, not to be forgotten are the City staffs and boards that partnered with us and wrote, interpreted, and continue to enforce our preservation-minded ordinances, the Foundation’s successes belong to and are enjoyed by all of us, our work is far from over, to continue to preserve the unique character of Lake Forest, we need you, if you are a member, volunteer, our strength is in our volunteers, if you are not a member, please join us, Linda Shields, Please Join Us at the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration, Sunday, August 19, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Market Square, come and bring the whole family to festivities celebrating the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary, the renowned United States Navy Ceremony Band from the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, will perform a concert featuring American themes, the concert will honor the Foundation’s achievements and the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, which itself is one of Lake County’s most historic sites, before and after the concert, browse the windows around Market Square, which will feature some of the 69 Lake Forest properties which have won historic preservation awards, this exhibit recognizes the contributions to Lake Forest made by property owners whose commitment to stewardship of our historic resources enhances the quality of life for all of us, thank you to Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company, for providing the refreshments for this special event, to the Bank, Mr. and Mrs. David P. Harris, and Kimberly Nicastro for our flags, and to Helander’s for making our balloons fly, thanks also to The City of Lake Forest for sharing Market Square for this celebration, mark your calendar today, and plan to join us for this historic evening, look for the balloons and the Foundation’s preservation flags in Market Square, and be sure to bring chairs and blankets for casual seating around the Square, Upcoming Events and Programs September-December Open to the Community, Model Houses for the Millions: Making the American Suburban Landscape, 1820-2000, co-sponsored by Lake Forest College, free, plan to attend this outstanding presentation by Dolores Hayden, Professor of Architecture, Urbanism, and American Studies at Yale University, Understanding Styles in Lake Forest: French and Beaux-Arts Planning Criteria, free to Foundation Members; $5 for Nonmembers, join Arthur Miller, Professor, Lake Forest College, True Adventures of an Historic Preservationist, free to Foundation Members; $5 for Nonmembers, Nan Greenough, The Country Houses of David Adler, $10 for Foundation Members; $20 for Nonmembers, Stephen M. Salny, Holiday Party to Celebrate the Year’s Achievements Foundation Members Only at Harrison House, Lake Bluff, A Success Story: 25 Years of Preserving the Past for Future Generations by Gail Hodges with Louise Weithas, it all began in 1976 with five people who were concerned about signs of erosion of the historic architecture and landscape that defined Lake Forest’s visual character, nearly five hundred families support the activities of this totally-volunteer organization as members, annually, over 90 percent of their dues are returned to the community in the form of preservation projects, studies, and publications, in response to substantial public support, The City of Lake Forest has enacted strong preservation and conservation tools including a Preservation Ordinance and an Historic Preservation Commission, “The (Foundation) is interested in preserving buildings and their grounds of historic interest or architectural worth…These buildings must not be allowed to go down the drain,” Edward H. Bennett, Jr., Founding President, Winter 1977, in June 1976, “Ragdale,” the estate built by architect Howard Van Doren Shaw in 1896, was the first local structure elected to the National Register of Historic Places, “We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us,” Winston Churchill, through the years Lake Forest has made some mistakes and learned important lessons, National Register and Local Historic Districts including the Lake Forest National Register District, the Vine-Oakwood-Green Bay Road National Register District, and the Green Bay Road National Register District, individual listings including “Ragdale,” “Mellody Farm,” Deer Path Inn, “Bagatelle,” the Noble Brandon Judah house, the Kersey Coates Reed house, the Robert P. Lamont house, the Robert Hosmer Morse house, and the farm buildings of “Meadowood,” local Preservation and Open Space District, renovation of the downtown railroad depot beginning in 1978, over $408,000 raised, over eight thousand volunteer hours, restoration of the Walden-Bluff’s Edge Bridge, over 500 donors contributing over $110,000, Special Preservation Projects including grants to Gorton Community Center, Dickinson Hall, the Historical Museum, Elawa Farm, First Baptist Church, conservation of a Warren Manning landscape plan, Preservation Advocacy, education, publication of the Preservation Foundation Newsletter, LFPF.org, two editions of Guide to National Register Properties: Lake Forest, Illinois, Preservation Awards initiated in 1991, Lost Lake Forest including “Bird Center,” the Baker House subdivision, “Arcady,” 469/471 and 481 Oakwood Avenue, “Havenwood,” THE CASE FOR SAVING HISTORIC PROPERTIES, historic buildings and landscapes enrich our community and give roots to our everyday lives, listing on the National Register offers no protection from demolition, 1313 North Green Bay Road demolished in the 1990s, The Demolition Clock Is Running, the Gordon Phelps Kelley House at 1100 Jensen Drive, architectural and historical significance, excellent integrity, tax advantages, THE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION GUIDEBOOK A Perfect Gift, available for $15, The City Corner: The Building Review Board and Historic Preservation Commission by Alice Moulton-Ely, ninety-five percent of all applications are processed by City staff and never come before the BRB, the BRB meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, the Historic Preservation Commission meets on the fourth Wednesday, JOIN US if you believe in preserving Lake Forest’s character for future generations, you SHOULD become a member, 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, Member-Annual Dues $35, Sustaining Member-Annual Dues $250, Contributing Member-Annual Dues $50, Patron-$500, Sponsor-Annual Dues $100, Life Member-$2,500 or more, I/We would like to work actively with the Preservation Foundation, The Preservation Foundation, an Illinois 501(c)(3) public foundation, is open to all who share its goal of progress through preservation.