2014 Spring Newsletter

Spring 2014 Stewardship of Historic Lake Forest Homes Photo by Cappy Johnston 965 Castlegate Court Back of the house shown 965 Castlegate Court Back of the house shown Devoted to Restoring a Neighborhood Landmark Photo by Cappy Johnston Cheryl and Bill Killam knew almost immediately when they found the historic house they could call home, a 1930 Colonial Revival that stands prominently at the southwest corner of Castlegate Court and Burton Drive marking the northern most entrance to the Deerpath Hill Estates District, the couple had always admired older homes but had never lived in one and upon driving by 965 Castlegate for the first time they were immediately drawn to the lines of the home and the warmth of its Lannon stone and brick façade, inside they were taken by the beautiful plaster moldings and the sunlight that poured in from the gorgeous bay window in the living room and this was the perfect old house for them, that was almost 16 years ago and the Killams who’ve raised three daughters in the house have been faithful stewards devoted to its restoration ever since, working hard to maintain as much of the home’s original character and beauty as possible while finding ways to modernize the interior to suit 21st Century living, starting with the kitchen and family room area where original cabinetry was replaced with custom cabinets that had the same look and feel and reverting a former children’s dining room turned laundry back into dining space opening it to the kitchen, undertaking numerous restoration projects including restoration of all original brass window and door hardware and renovating seven bathrooms while trying to keep as many original fixtures as possible with the help of a plumber who specializes in older homes because “they don’t make ’em like they used to,” proud to have kept the original vision and integrity intact and rewarded in 2006 when the house was honored by the National Park Service as part of the designation of the Deerpath Hill Estates District to the National Register of Historic Places, singled out as an important neighborhood landmark for exceptional quality of design and excellent condition, their devotion extending beyond the property line by spearheading a neighborhood-wide effort to restore the Lannon stone pillars and walls defining the Waukegan Road entrance to the neighborhood after eighty-five years of harsh weather and winter salt spray deterioration, thanks to fundraising the pillars and walls restored to original elegance, calling life in an historic home “magical” with advice that if you see cracks and creaks as charm you’ll find perfection in imperfection, Art Deco at Its Best Grieve Residence 1301 Knollwood in March 1998 Bruce and Laureen Grieve fell in love at first sight with a bold Art Deco structure tucked among mature burr oaks shagbark hickories and evergreens on the grounds of the Knollwood Club, amazed by high-quality workmanship and construction details built to last and as only the third owners delighted that few alterations had been made, removing seven layers of paint from the exterior to reveal the historic color palette, uncovering high gloss linoleum tiles and Art Deco striping hinting at original finishes, researching and discovering the house was designed by Zimmerman Saxe and Zimmerman for Colonel Robert H. Morse founding member of the Knollwood Club and head of Fairbanks Morse Company, considered among the finest examples of residential Art Deco design in the country especially for its scale, successfully completing the National Register listing process benefiting from a tax deduction incentive and granting Landmarks Illinois an easement on the exterior to preserve it for the future, collecting high style Art Deco and Asian pieces while raising children Kate and Pierce as stewards for the future, noting that tearing down historic properties erodes cultural and financial value, 24th ANNUAL LAKE FOREST HISTORIC PRESERVATION WEEK April 21-28 2014 every year Lake Forest Preservation Foundation honors families businesses and organizations demonstrating commitment to excellence in preserving Lake Forest’s architectural heritage with nominations by March 28 judging by respected architectural historians six award categories based on The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and Rehabilitation standards at www.nps.gov/history/hps/TPS/tax/rhb, green and white signs placed in front of past award winners culminating at the Annual Meeting Sunday April 27 at Gorton Community Center with reception and bronze plaques presented, since 1991 over 175 properties honored for integrity of preservation and nominations accepted at www.lfpf.org/nomination-form deadline March 28th, More than a Century of Families’ Stewardship Continues Photo by Brian Bryzinski and Photo by Cappy Johnston stewardship fortune shining favorably on 941 East Westminster built 1889-92 the oldest surviving Lake Forest estate home facing the Lake designed by Holabird & Roche as a wedding gift for Henry Nelson Tuttle and Fannie Farwell Tuttle daughter of John V. Farwell, Ingrid and Brian Bryzinski purchasing in 1996 drawn by proximity to the Lake and downtown high ceilings flow six fireplaces adding a seventh learning stories of ice delivery and sleeping porches and a west wing addition around 1920 believed designed by Edwin Hill Clark, avid gardeners transforming an acre plus lot hosting a 2013 LFPF Wine Stroll showcasing incredible work, restoring to 21st century standards while maintaining original character replacing a deck with limestone terrace updating mechanical systems restoring plaster and noting one step forward takes two steps back, enjoying researching time-appropriate pieces and continuing restoration of the east living room, Arthur Miller noting it represents the last of the pre-Country Estate Era residences surviving before the Beaux-Arts influence of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, LFPF memberships up for renewal with David Brown of the National Trust for Historic Preservation reminding that vibrant historic communities are places where generations meet and learn from each other infused with richness of the past appreciation for the present and optimism for the future, April 1 marking new LFPF year and renewals due, membership dues helping demonstrate commitment encourage restoration educate advocate conduct research recognize projects and ensure future generations value Lake Forest, nearly 1000 active members enjoying discounts and special events joining at www.LFPF.org/membership, Castlegate Gates Saved LFPF leveraging neighborhood support Annual Fund contributions and City funding to restore historic gates at Waukegan Road and Castlegate Court built in the early 1920s to showcase Deerpath Hills Estates falling into disrepair eclipsed by buckthorn and overgrowth, committee led by Cheryl Killam Andrea Cutting and Maureen Grinnell hosting Save the Castlegate Gates presentation November 3 2013 in A.B. Dick Westmoreland carriage barn with historian Paul Bergmann Maddie Dugan and contractor Jim Opsitnik restoring gates with improved foundations tuck-pointing with 1920s formula mortar funding split between City North King Muir residents and LFPF Annual Fund contributions inviting all to walk ride or drive by, Annual Holiday Celebration at the historic Hibbard Estate home of Kent and Susanne Woloson, FROM THE PRESIDENT Gail T. Hodges recounting 2013 successes including securing $1.236 ITEP grant for restoration of the historic downtown railroad depot launching a new website at www.lfpf.org raising over $20,000 in Annual Fund awarding ten homeowners Preservation Awards restoring Deer Path Hill estate gates and celebrating at the Frank Hibbard Estate House, inviting nominations attendance renewal and community participation to protect the historic visual character of Lake Forest, 2013 Annual Fund raising more than $20,000 directing funds to Save the Castlegate Gates monitoring landmarks including the Pond & Pond-designed Warming House at West Park and continued restoration of the Downtown Lake Forest Train Station and establishing a special committee to identify endangered landmarks, LAKE FOREST PRESERVATION FOUNDATION 2013-2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Gail T. Hodges President Maureen Grinnell VP Development Jan Gibson VP Programs Kristen Chun Secretary Dennis Johnston Treasurer DIRECTORS Guy Berg Judy Boggess Suzanne Boren Stephen Bent Peter Coutant Stephen Douglass Allison Derr Jerry Henry Linda Liang Rommy Lopat Arthur H. Miller Pauline M. Mohr Alice F. Moulton-Ely Fred Moyer Elizabeth Sperry Rosemary Troxel Laura Turansick HONORARY DIRECTORS Herbert Geist Shirley Paddock Linda A. Shields Lorraine Tweed Sarah Wimmer EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Marcy Kerr, Lake Forest Preservation Foundation 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest Illinois 60045 www.lfpf.org NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 184 LAKE FOREST IL 60045 ECRWSS Residential Customer Lake Forest IL 60045 PRESERVATION VOLUME 6 NUMBER 2 Contributors Suzanne Boren Peter Coutant Allison Derr Jan Gibson Maureen Grinnell Marcy Kerr Rommy Lopat Arthur Miller Laura Turansick, LFPF full program of educational and inspiring preservation-related events for 2014 including April 11 Lake Forest’s Stained Glass Windows at First Presbyterian Church April 27 Annual Meeting with presentation of 2014 Historic Preservation Awards June Garden Stroll August 22 Garden Stroll September 27 Architectural Home Tour December 7 Annual Holiday Party and invitation to join or renew today to preserve for tomorrow.