2015 Fall Newsletter

Fall 2015 777 Washington PhoTo BY CaPPY JohNsToN From the President Dear Fellow Residents of Lake Forest, in the half year since I came on board as the Preservation Foundation’s President the organization has been busy working on many fronts to assure planning continuity and historic preservation in our community, among other activities we have participated in a wide range of City board commission council and other discussions about proposed developments—large and small—new residences minor renovations the east train station and the important Laurel Avenue redevelopment proposal, one thing that stands out from these experiences is the ongoing need to balance the generally modernist impulse for a project to stand out from its surroundings rather than follow the historic local tradition of harmony on streetscapes and evolution through renovation rather than starting over with teardowns, our September benefit walk highlighted survivors of the City’s first fifty years—structures that made it through fires unsympathetic changes and adaptive reuses to be charming livable and valued houses now, key “de-coder rings” for getting homeowners designers and neighbors through the process of City permitting include (1) selection of an appropriate City-experienced good designer (as noted in our last issue our Preservation Award winners offer the best tickets for express check-out) and (2) careful attention to the City’s Residential Design Guidelines: A Resource Guide for Building in Established Neighborhoods, 2003, http://www.cityoflakeforest.com/assets/1/28/dsgnguid.pdf or Google the title), this 22-page Guidelines document integral to our preservation ordinances was created by staff to make the permitting process easier and the Guidelines explain and show homeowners and their commissioned designers crucial steps for navigating the process here, there are no secret hidden-agenda tricks to slow down projects and inflate design bills with re-draftings, rather there are basic principles of design harmony that have led locals since the 1857 approval of the east side town plat even before the City was chartered in 1861, and many cities if you look on Google have quite similar documents, even in this age of Twitter and smartphone short messages the well-organized bullet-point-driven document is handy and useful – even Continued on page 6, Keep in Touch with Us on Facebook Preservation is published just three times a year but there’s always important LFPF news and events taking place throughout the year, “Like” us on our Facebook page – search for Lake Forest Preservation Foundation – where you will find information on upcoming LFPF events photos from past events and updates on important preservation issues affecting Lake Forest, Learn Participate and Donate through the LFPF Website learn more about our organization including LFPF success stories find past issues of our newsletter research past Preservation Award winners by year or watch videos of our programs and lectures, participate in upcoming LFPF events by purchasing tickets online filling out a volunteer application or nominating a project for a Preservation Award, donate to LFPF by joining as a new member or renewing your membership online making a gift to our Annual Fund or finding out more about sponsorship gifting or planned giving opportunities – because your financial support is critical to our mission, Do All This and More Online! – www.LFPF.ORG, FaLL house and garden Tour The Heart of Old Lake Forest The Preservation Foundation celebrated its annual benefit on the beautiful afternoon of September 20th, Many thanks to the Homeowners featured in this newsletter, Our Generous Sponsors: Forest & Bluff Tour Media Sponsor Lake Forest Bank & Trust Tour Sponsor Authentico Fitness Together Gardens in Progress Griffith Grant & Lackie Kazik & Scarpone Painting, Inc. Kulach Builders, Inc. Lake Forest Hearing Professionals Mariani Market House on the Square Meadow Ridge Townhomes Melichar Architects Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists Rocco Fiore & Sons Samlesbury Hall, Ltd. Shea Lubecke Designs The Grille on Laurel The UPS Store Timbers Edge Luxury Homes, The Committee, House Chairs and many Docents Without their support and time this lovely event would not have been possible, Preservation FALL 2015 – VOLUME 8, NUMBER 3 Contributors: Peter Coutant, Allison Derr, Marcy Kerr, Arthur Miller and Peggy Pandaleon Photography: Cappy Johnston and Alice Moulton-Ely Lake Forest Preservation Foundation 400 East Illinois Road Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 www.lfpf.org, Historic Train Station Renovation Update work is beginning on the design phase for the interior renovation of Lake Forest’s historic downtown train station, this work will include accessible restrooms HVAC systems flooring and possibly adding sprinklers for fire safety, the amount of money to be available for the interior renovation phase from federal funds requiring Illinois Department of Transportation approval will depend on the bids for the completion of the remaining exterior work—which includes painting and tuck-pointing of the brick walls, at its October 5, 2015 meeting the City Council approved the immediate allocation of City funds for the design phase with a goal of beginning renovation work by March 2016 and completion by the following November to allow full passenger access to the interior before the start of the 2016-17 winter season, the approved architects are the Legat Group with the firm’s lead “IDOT approved” designer Ted Haugh in charge, Haugh and Legat have worked on comparable North Line stations in Winnetka Hubbard Woods and Glencoe, the Preservation Foundation will be a partner in the process with the LFPF-funded 2009 Historic Structure Report from Harboe Architects Chicago helping to speed up the design process, LFPF representatives will be working closely with the architects as decisions unfold about how much work can be completed from the available funds, Historic Train Station Renovation Update work is beginning on the design phase for the interior renovation of Lake Forest’s historic downtown train station, this work will include accessible restrooms HVAC systems flooring and possibly adding sprinklers for fire safety, the amount of money to be available for the interior renovation phase from federal funds requiring Illinois Department of Transportation approval will depend on the bids for the completion of the remaining exterior work—which includes painting and tuck-pointing of the brick walls, at its October 5, 2015 meeting the City Council approved the immediate allocation of City funds for the design phase with a goal of beginning renovation work by March 2016 and completion by the following November to allow full passenger access to the interior before the start of the 2016-17 winter season, the approved architects are the Legat Group with the firm’s lead “IDOT approved” designer Ted Haugh in charge, Haugh and Legat have worked on comparable North Line stations in Winnetka Hubbard Woods and Glencoe, the Preservation Foundation will be a partner in the process with the LFPF-funded 2009 Historic Structure Report from Harboe Architects Chicago helping to speed up the design process, LFPF representatives will be working closely with the architects as decisions unfold about how much work can be completed from the available funds, Mid-Century Modern House by Keck & Keck in Need of Preservation Buyer the 1950s Fagen/McMahon house designed by the renowned Chicago architectural firm of Keck & Keck and arguably one of Lake Forest’s most architecturally significant examples of mid-century modern design is on the market and in search of a buyer who will rehab and preserve the structure, for sale since June the house sits nestled atop the crest of a wooded lot at 1711 Devonshire Lane in southwest Lake Forest, the 4,200 square-foot 4 bedroom/3 bath home presents itself as a low wall of naturally colored wood and masonry at the top of a curved driveway, the style is the naturalistic organic design of Frank Lloyd Wright’s late 1930s Usonian style—with warm earth-hugging open-planned spaces transitioning through window walls to natural landscapes, the expansive south single-story elevation utilizes passive solar sustainability: floor to ceiling window walls across the house underneath a broad overhang let in winter sun but screen out the sun’s heat in summer, last sold in 2007 for $1.16 million just a year after it received an award from the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation the property is now on the market for $799,900 and in need of major rehabilitation, with its open central living room with windows facing south the house’s rehabilitation would yield a renewed mid-century masterpiece at a time when the modernism revival is in full swing, there are incentives to historic preservation that could help make rehabilitation of the house more economically viable, designation as a local landmark would make the property eligible for the state’s historic preservation tax freeze program an eight-year freeze at the pre-rehab level followed by a four-year gradual step-up to the new post-rehab level resulting in twelve years of reduced property taxes and a substantial savings to help fund a rehabilitation project, Tim Christie: The Warmest Smile in Town Tim Christie was one-of-a-kind, a rare combination of both passion and principle with an ability to tell-it-like-it-is and leave you laughing from an impeccably timed joke, his dedication was unmatched and his smile . . . the warmest in town, perhaps more than anything he loved Lake Forest and devoted countless volunteer hours on various Boards and Commissions sharing his knowledge and expertise of landscape design including as Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission from 2000 to 2004, Tim died on September 27th, a memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest on November 23, 2015 at 10 a.m., Tim Christie: The Warmest Smile in Town Tim Christie was one-of-a-kind, all those who knew Tim including the organizations groups and individuals he touched were lucky to experience his dedication thoughtfulness integrity and of course good humor, his spirit lives on in the landscapes he created the historic buildings he worked to preserve and the streetscapes he helped to beautify, Tim died on September 27th, a memorial service will be sharing his knowledge and expertise of landscape design held at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest on November 23, 2015 at 10 a.m. from 2000 to 2004, for more information on this and other incentives for making rehabilitation of historic properties more economically feasible contact the LFPF office at (847) 234-1230 or offi[email protected], From Humble beginnings to elegant abode the 1879 Oakhurst Estate Stable and B.N. Parmenter Home and Office at 777 North Washington is one of the many highlights from this year’s Preservation Foundation annual House and Garden Tour “The Heart of Old Lake Forest,” these remarkable residences beat the odds and stand today as testimony to great stewardship and rehabilitation by their owners, referring to the houses included on this year’s tour as survivors is almost an understatement, one of them burned twice since its 1859 construction, two residences were conversions from other purposes one from an 1879 stable left over after the main house was demolished and the other from use as a rooming house for more than half-a-century, one significant 1888 house dodged the bullet of an awkward mid-century remodeling sixty years ago to be re-touched in an historicist mode in the 1990s, and one house from 1899 survived various marginal remodeling projects with its main public area features well-preserved and perhaps more remarkably its 115-year-old wooden wrap-around front porch virtually unaltered—possibly the only surviving local original example of this type, this story of survival is perhaps nowhere more evident than with the home at 777 North Washington, by 1879 all or most of the block around this house at the corner of Washington Road and Westminster was the Oakhurst estate of Chicago wholesale merchant Ezra J. Warner and remained so until early in the 20th century, the young Chicago firm of Daniel H. Burnham and John Root were the architects for Oakhurst including the stable that became this house, Burnham and Root had launched their joint practice in 1873 the year after the Chicago fire and Burnham’s career included major Loop buildings and the 1909 Plan of Chicago, although Oakhurst’s main house was later demolished the stable survives as the only known local project by the firm, in 1925 the stable was adaptively reused and converted into a house by the local firm of the young architect Stanley D. Anderson for Dr. and Mrs. Bert N. Parmenter, Parmenter had been practicing locally since 1897 and included in the remodel was a two-room doctor’s office with a separate entrance off Westminster for Dr. Parmenter’s clients—the old entrance pathway through the vegetation along Westminster still exists, the original appearance of the stable in 1879 is not known nevertheless the present front gable end may have been where hay was lifted into the upper level for storage with the horses and other livestock as well as carriage(s) housed on the first floor, the simple utilitarian form of the original stable evolved under Anderson into a distinctive residence with an integrated office suite, the frame story-and- Historic Train Station Renovation Update Work is beginning on the design phase for the interior renovation of Lake Forest’s historic downtown train station including accessible restrooms HVAC systems flooring and possibly adding sprinklers and the bids for completion of remaining exterior work painting and tuck-pointing of brick walls, City Council October 5 2015 immediate allocation of City funds for design phase goal beginning by March 2016 completion by following November 2016-17 winter season, approved architects Legat Group lead IDOT approved designer Ted Haugh worked on Winnetka Hubbard Woods Glencoe, Preservation Foundation partner LFPF-funded 2009 Historic Structure Report from Harboe Architects Chicago helping speed design process and LFPF working closely on available funds decisions, Tim Christie: The Warmest Smile in Town repeating dedication unmatched warmest smile spirit lives on memorial service First Presbyterian Church November 23 2015 10 a.m., Oakhurst stable & b.N. ParmeNter hOme & Office 777 NOrth WashiNgtON rOad Original Architect Burnham & Root 1879 Adaptive Re-Use Architect Stanley D. Anderson 1925 Current Owner Erin & David Brush, a-half-house today and since the 1920s is classic Colonial revival in character with entry gable arch-topped window decorative iron rail detailed door surround rusticated quoins alternating bands of shingle siding patterns of texture and shadow, from 1953 to 1971 Frederick McLaughlin and his wife lived in the house and the gardens date from McLaughlin era created by Helen Lord Hasler founding member of Lake Forest Garden Club 1913, following McLaughlin’s death 1971 weekend home of daughter Hobby Shank and husband Howard moved full-time 1981 redecorated by Chicago decorator William Price McNutt, in 2013 purchased by Erin and David Brush who polished up including meticulous restoration stripping paint build up revealing original shingle siding and millwork, interior dark gray and black terrazzo floors stripped of wax mended polished, kitchen lightly remodeled bathrooms outfitted with period fixtures, Dr. Parmenter’s office with bookcases still exists adjacent to reception room preserved with medical books as tribute, how remarkable that a simple frame utilitarian building began life as a humble stable survived demolition converted into elegant classically detailed home and office and still stands today 136 years later in perhaps better condition than ever, through the grit of generations of owners across wars panics high taxes and waves of redevelopment 777 North Washington and other homes stand as testament to resilience and stewards’ vision, 2015 AnnuAl Benefit ArchitecturAl house And GArden tour The hearT of old lake foresT this year’s annual tour highlighted six remarkable residences from 1859 to 1909 in east side neighborhood between train station and Sheridan Road serving as window into founding and early accomplishment from religious and educational origins to golf polo and sports, salute many generations of unsung previous owners and current ones who preserved echo of old Chicago life, The evergreens 404 East Deerpath Original Owner Dr. Charles H. Quinlan Original Architects attributed to Asher Carter 1859 Later Architects Stanley D. Anderson firm 1950 Current Owner Mary Southworth, burned twice (1869 1950) almost demolished earliest occupied estate house purchased 1976 rescued by Mary Southworth and late husband Bruce, formation of historic sites committee 1975 Lake Forest Historical Society, renovation preserving mostly 1870 historic character with added conveniences and excavated cellar redeveloped as office and guesthouse space, crossways Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence speideL rooMing house 399 East Deerpath Original Architects Unknown 1905 Current Owner Amy & David Hartwell, built as rooming house expanded adaptively reused 1980s, Lawrence Speidel sergeant first deployed at future Fort Sheridan raised its first flag then oil business for gas lighting Western Avenue, served as rooming house into 1960s, details weave original features retained flat roof full third floor, updated postmodern porch entry motif of segmental arches and horizontal band molding, 511 East Walnut Road Original Owner Catherine & Amzi Benedict Original Architects Cobb & Frost 1888 Current Owner Cathy & Ken Marsch, evolved through owners architects, style Chateauesque circular stair tower finials steep roof pitches tall chimneys forecasting University of Chicago, 1950s modernist entrance by Milton Searle Carstens doubling living room, later Kendler remodeling and current owners quarter century alterations with revision of mid-century entry new garage outbuilding conversion of stable to guest house, Garden Strolls jJ the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation is grateful to the homeowners who opened their gardens for our two signature 2015 summer garden strolls, Summer Winnie and Bob Crawford hosted June stroll facing the lake with guided tours of renovated Forest Park led by Peter Cherry and Cliff Miller, August stroll in gardens of Haity and Jim McNerney where Dorothy Hebert spoke about designing peaceful evolving site on restored ravine, Summer may be gone but happy memories will last, Garden Strolls repeating the same, 2015 AnnuAl Benefit ArchitecturAl house And GArden tour The hearT of old lake foresT Continued from page 5 The nooK 725 North Sheridan Road Original Owner Mary G. Newell & Frederick C. Aldrich Original Architect Unknown 1874 Later Architect Frost & Granger 1899 Current Owner Lynn & Jim Bertram, originally simple farmhouse relocated and re-envisioned by Aldrich and Newell renovated and expanded by architects Charles S. Frost and Alfred H. Granger MIT graduates, named for built-in Arts & Crafts benches and fireplace inglenook, style reflects farmhouse origins and post-1893 classic preference with centered pediments, porch retains integrity virtually unaltered 115-year-old wrap-around possibly only surviving local example, ThaLFried 565 East Deerpath Original Owner Anna Holt & Arthur D. Wheeler Original Architect Pond & Pond 1909 Later Architect Eugene Martin Jr 1990s Melichar Architects 2000s Current Owner Jeanna & John Park, built by Arthur Wheelers attorney Sidley & Austin president Chicago Telephone Company AT&T 1908, parcel subdivided new drive ad hoc south-facing entry, Eugene Martin Jr remodeled and created new bridge across ravine from Deerpath reestablishing north entrance, blends English traditional half-timbered gable ends with Austrian Secessionist squared unadorned columns and rooflines forty years ahead of time, From the President Continued from page 2 checklist roof shape hierarchy of massing scale landscape context fit smoothly, Foundation hopes to add illustrations recommends petitioners and designers use guide, Summer Garden Strolls gratitude to homeowners details Crawford McNerney, Celebrating the Work of Architect I.W. Colburn Jay Pridmore I. W. Colburn: Emotion in Modern Architecture (Lake Forest College Press, 2015) independent architect sculptural controversial mastery of proportion materials space recognized 50 years later, November 6th and 8th LFPF and Lake Forest College co-sponsored weekend lecture exhibit reception Sonnenschein Gallery Durand Art Institute tour of four homes and one church, Celebrating the Work of Architect I.W. Colburn repeated twice more, GiVe the Gift of PreserVAtion Dear Friends of Preservation imagine what Lake Forest would look like if citizens not inspired preserve historic integrity, Lake Forest blessed extraordinary architecturally and culturally significant structures public and private, without vigilance treasures would not survive, LFPF members supporters ensure future historic visual character, in 2015 LFPF gave six awards hosted March Renovation and Restoration symposium at Gorton June and August garden strolls Architectural Home and Garden Tour September celebration of I. W. Colburn with Lake Forest College November send Preservation to all households three times a year, LFPF advises City by attending meetings City Council and Historic Preservation Committee, provided input on Amberley Woods Laurel Ave development Woodbine Bridge Lake Road east Lake Forest train station, ensure development sensitive, grant for conservation of original 1857 surveyor’s plat now hangs in City Hall, additional grant support Forest Park more grants under consideration, none possible without financial support, please help preserve unique character by making contribution gift any size thank you Arthur Miller Stephen Bent President VP Development, Make your secure online donation today on the Annual Fund page of our website www.lfpf.org LFPF is a 501(c)(3) public foundation contributions tax deductible, LAKE FOREST PRESERVATION FOUNDATION 2015-2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Arthur Miller President Stephen Bent VP Development Allison Derr VP Programs Maureen Grinnell Secretary Fred Moyer Treasurer DIRECTORS Guy Berg Lynn Bertram Judy Boggess Ingrid Bryzinski Kristen Chun Peter Coutant Cathy Dohnalek Tom Gleason Gail Hodges Linda Liang Laura Luce Roger Mohr Elizabeth Moore Jim Opsitnik Peggy Pandaleon Lynn Van Cleave Kent Woloson HONORARY DIRECTORS Herbert Geist Pauline Mohr Shirley Paddock Linda Shields Lorraine Tweed Sarah Wimmer EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Marcy Kerr, We appreciate our Members Together we can protect the historic visual character of Lake Forest for generations to come Renew for 2016 or join in our mission at www.LFPF.org LFPF is committed to expanding its endeavors for education advocacy and funding to preserve local landmarks, NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 184 LAKE FOREST, IL 60045 ECRWSS Residential Customer Lake Forest, IL 60045, T he Board of Directors of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation Cordially Invites its Members to the Annual Holiday Celebration t Sunday, December 6, 2015 Please join the membership for wine and hors d’oeuvres Two O’clock to Four O’clock Advance Reservations Only Please RSVP by December 2, 2015 www.lfpf.org ~ (847) 234-1230 ~ [email protected].