2003 Summer Newsletter

PRESERVATION FOUNDATION OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Officers Alice F. Moulton-Ely Pl!ESIDENT Laureen Grieve VICE PRESIDENT, MEMBERSHIP Janet M. Gibson VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMS Paul Bergmann SECRETARY Judith A. Harris Tl!EASURER Directors Marcia C. 0. Bennett Edward H. Bennett, Ill Priscilla A. Billington Susan Dillon Bryant Carol A. Champ Lisa Cregan Susan Halle Elaine B. Hughes Arthur H. Miller, Jr. Pauline M. Mohr Kimberly Nicastro Dustin O’Regan Shirley M. Paddock Frank Ponterio Patricia C. Riess Linda L. Shields Craig Speed Mary Jane Wolter Honorary Directors Herbert Geist Gail T. Hodges Lorraine A. Tweed Henry P. Wheeler Sarah D. Wimmer rRESIDENTS OF THE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION Edward H. Bennett, Jr., 1976-1978 Gayle K. Dompke, 1978-1980 GailT.Hodges, 1980-1982 Herbert Geist, 1982-1984 Lorraine A.Tweed, 1984-1986 Henry P.Wheeler, 1986-1988 Sarah D.Wimmer,1988-1990,1992-1993 Pauline M. Mohr, 1993-1995, 1997-1999 Richard J. DuBourdieu, 1995-1997 Edward H. Bennett, 111, 1999-2001 Linda L. Shields, 1990-1992, 2001-2003 Presenation! is published by The Lake Forest Foundation for Historic Preservation, Box 813, Lake Forest IL 60045 (847) 234-1230 www.LFPF.org Gail T. Hodges, Editor A President’s Welcome to a new year of preservation! 1 1Message We are already in the midst of several projects that include the creation of a Deer Path Hill Estates historic district coupled with a restoration of its stone entry structures, publication of a small booklet detailing the history of some of the business district’s oldest buildings, a House and Garden Tour in June, our annual Concert in the Square in August, more book signings, lectures and programs, and continuing our partnership with the Elawa Farm Project, we also continue to monitor and testify at City meetings that deal with issues related to historic preservation, for the future? some of the ideas that have been discussed include the creation of a Lasker Estate historic district, publication of a book on the Green Bay Road Historic District, and ultimately the hinng of someone to run our Gorton office, we’ve had the office for about three years, and the accumulation of 27 years, previously in garages, basements and in some cases still “out there,” is overwhelming and needs to be organized, we’re always looking for help, please give us a call, latebreaking information and good news for the entire community is the purchase of the historic house and grounds called “Two Gables,” also known as “Mr. T’s,” by Laureen and Bruce Grieve, Laureen is a director of our Preservation Foundation, and here’s the data directly from her: ‘”Two Gables,’ more commonly known as the Laurance T. Armour estate at 395 North Green Bay Road, is the first restoration project of Legacy Preservation Partners, the partnership was formed in 2003 to purchase and restore uniquelychallenged historic properties along Chicago’s North Shore, offices are located at 655 Rockland Road, Suite 102, in Lake Bluff, Rocco S. De Fillippis and Bruce B. Grieve are the founding partners, Mr. De Fillippis has been a custom home builder in the Lake Bluff/Lake Forest area for ten years, his company, Legacy Homes, LLC, specializes in classic European design and architecture, Mr. Grieve has been active in historic preservation largely through the restoration of his family home, the R.H. Morse House on Knollwood Circle in Lake Forest, the property has received broad recognition and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places:’ we’ll provide updates of this exciting project in upcoming newsletters! Alice Moulton-Ely Upcoming Programs and Events June-September Open to the Community! Lake Forest Grand Estates Annual Architectural Walking Tour Tickets: $50 for Members and Their Guests Through June 14 Tickets: $60 for Members and Their Guests After June 14 Five Lake Forest estate homes, dating from the 1800s and varying in architectural style and landscape, will be featured on this tour, proceeds will be contributed to the Ragdale Foundation capital restoration campaign, call 847-234-1230 for further information (Note: We are unable to accommodate children under 16, please do not bring cameras, refunds not available), An Ensemble of Old and New: Adaptive Reuse and New Construction Members Only Garden Reception and Talk Join the Preservation Foundation at an award-winning Lake Forest country home and garden, architect Tom Rajkovich will talk about the challenge of designing a compatible infill structure to blend with the adaptive reuse of an historic home, this members only event has limited reservations, call 847-234-1230 for information and reservations, Lake Forest Day Parade come celebrate Lake Forest Day at the Parade, as we march to show our pride for our country and our city, Third Annual Concert in the Square the Great Lakes Navy Band will perform once again for the Concert in the Square, bring your chairs and blankets to join us for this early evening concert of popular music for the family, free for everyone, Classic Country Estates of Lake Forest: Architecture and Landscape Design 1856-1940 Members Only Benefit and Book Signing visit a classic country estate of Lake Forest, and have Arthur Miller, Dan Meyer, and Kim Coventry personally sign their new book, Classic Country Estates of Lake Forest, Architecture and Landscape Design: 1856-1940, this benefit tour is for members only, Classic Country Estates of Lake Forest slide lecture co-sponsored with LF-LB Historical Society members free; nonmembers $10 authors Arthur Miller, Dan Meyer, and Kim Coventry will present this slide program focused on their new book, Classic Country Estates of Lake Forest, Architecture and Landscape Design: 1856-1940, SATURDAY JUNE 21 1-4 P.M. Reserved Tickets Must Be Picked Up at Gorton CC Between Noon and 1:30 p.m., SATURDAY IN JULY 7-8:30 P.M. Date to Be Announced, Members will receive invitations, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 6 10 A.M.-NOON, SUNDAY AUGUST 17 6:30-8 P.M. Market Square, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6 1-3 P.M. Members will receive invitations, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7 2-4:30 P.M. Gorton Community Center 3 2003 PRESERVATION AWARDS Recognizing Stewardship that Benefits 2003 PRESERVATION AWARDS Recognizing Stewardship that Benefits the Whole Community By Gail T. Hodges, Editor On May 28, 2003, the Historic PreseNation Commission voted 3 to 2 with one absten-tion, to continue the petition to demolish the home of AIA-award-winning architect I.W. “Ike” Colburn at 700 North Lake Road, the Commission indicated support for demolition on condition of approval of a replacement structure consistent with the Historic District, the unique features of the site, and the standards of the Historic PreseNation Ordinance, the Commission thus indicated overruling the recommendation of City staff to restore and renovate the structure, it struggled with a report on the condition of the structure, although the building was judged restorable by staff, future demolition approval will stand unless appealed, !sThis Decision Significant? there is consensus among preservationists that approval of this demolition will weaken the future of the PreseNation Ordinance and the effectiveness of the Commission, your support is needed to save this important component of local architectural history, is the International Style Significant? though not common in Lake Forest, the International Style is a critical component of local historic visual character, Lake Forest is a “textbook” of quality design and construction from the mid-1800s to the present, dislike of the International style by some should not diminish recognition of its local importance, preservation of the recent past is just as important as preserving classic structures from the 1800s and 1900s, Is the Architect Significant? I. W. Colburn was a nationallyrecognized architect, who received the American Institute of Architects National Award for the William McLennan house at 1101 North Lake Road in 1960, that design was cited as “having the classic ideals of order, dignity, and controlled sensuousness;’ and recognized the architect’s consistent respect for the qualities of distinctive architecture, whether classical, transitional, or contemporary, between 1955 and 1979, Colburn designed at least fifteen homes and other buildings in Lake Forest (two have been demolished), as well as other homes on the North Shore and in the United States, his work includes the Bath and Tennis Club in Lake Bluff, St. Anastasia Church in Waukegan, and significant buildings at the University of Chicago, Colburn received at least three other AIA awards, including those for a retirement home for the Chairman of the Department of Architecture at the University of Illinois, St. Anastasia Church in Waukegan, and the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School at the University of Chicago, yearly, the Preservation Foundation honors those individuals and organizations whose actions to preseNe, protect, and plan for the future of Lake Forest’s heritage demonstrate a commitment to excellence in historic preservation, this year, twelve awards were pre-sented at the Foundation’s Annual Meeting, held on Sunday, April 27, 2003, to be eligible for an award, a building or landscape must be over 50 years old, with the exception of awards that may be given for exemplary new construction, award judging incorporates “The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation” (see right}, awards are considered in six categories, Preservation Awards are made to historic structures and landscapes that have been continually cared for and maintained, respecting the original character of the structure and, perhaps, incorporating changes that have acquired significance in their own right, Restoration Awards recognize historic structures or landscapes that have been restored to their original architectural character, Renovation Awards are given to historic structures and landscapes that have been restored to include additions and changes that are compatible with and respective of the original structure or landscape, Adaptive Reuse Awards focus on the preservation of historic structures, such as coach houses and other estate out-buildings, through new uses that keep the property viable and maintain its historic architecture, New Construction, or Infill, Awards are designated for newlyconstructed buildings that demonstrate exemplary contextual compatibility, Heritage Awards, occasionally given, recognize properties that have important links to the cultural history of Lake Forest and have maintained their original distinctive characteristics through periods of change, The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation These ten standards should be kept in mind when planning work on an historic property, they are guidelines for treating an historic property with respect, A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the d!;lfining characteristics of the building and its site and environment, The historic character of the property shall be retained and preserved, the removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided, Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use, changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural _elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken, Most properties change over time, those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved, 5. Distinctive features, finishes, and •• construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize an historic property shall be preserved (continued onpage 6) 5 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (continued) 6.Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced, where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials, replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence, 7 Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic material shall not be used, the surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible, Significant archaeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved, if such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken, New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property, the new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible