Kendall County Times

Kendall County Historic Preservation Commission met Feb. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

Vice-Chair Eric Bernacki called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Eric Bernacki (Vice Chair), Elizabeth Flowers, and Kristine Heiman

Absent: Marty Shanahan and Jeff Wehrli

Also Present: Matt Asselmeier, Wanda A. Rolf, Jon Pressley from the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office (Via Zoom), Lisa Wolancevich from Kendall County Historical Society, Johanna Byram from Kendall County Historical Society, Todd Volker from Kendall County Economic Development, Ed Hatteberg from Norsk Museum, Jeff Farren from Chapel on the Green, Tina Beaird from Oswego Heritage Association, Judy Wheeler from Oswego Heritage Association and Au Sable Presbyterian Church, Sharon Lowy from Chapel on the Green, Jill Morgan from City of Aurora, Ken Donart from Chapel on the Green, Susan Kritzberg from Chapel on the Green, Sarah Skilton from Oswego Public Library, Philip Buchanan from Naperville Preservation, Mary Lou Wehrli from Friends of the Green Barn and Naperville Preservation, and Jeanne Valentine from Plano Historical Society.

WELCOMING REMARKS

Elizabeth Flowers, Kendall County Historic Preservation Commission, welcomed the attendees and spoke about the importance of preserving historical places. Elizabeth Flowers and Eric Bernacki spoke about the historic places the Commission visited in Kendall County.

PRESENTATION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LANDMARKING PROPERTIES

Jon Pressley, MA, RPA, Illinois Department of Natural Resources spoke about the importance of landmarking properties. Mr. Pressley stated that locally enacted and enforced ordinances are the most effective means of preserving cultural landmarks. Ordinances authorize a municipality or county government to create historic preservation commissions, create landmarks, and delay or deny proposed demolition permits. One (1) of the attendees asked if there was a website to obtain the Historical Preservation information and printable lists of historic places. Mr. Asselmeier responded to go to the website kendallcountyil.gov, click Departments, then GIS Portal, and then go to Planning, Building and Zoning. Click on the that says Zoning, click on it and click on Historic Features.

Mr. Pressley also spoke about The Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Preservation Act. Section 707 requires state agencies to follow preservation protocols for projects receiving state funding. Mr. Pressley also spoke about Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which requires that each federal agency identify and assess the effects its actions may have on historic buildings. Under Section 106, each federal agency must consider public views and concerns about historic preservation issues when making final project decisions.

Mr. Pressley also stated that the window for Certified Local Government Grants would open in the summer.

PRESENTATION BY AU SABLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Judy Wheeler stated that, in 1846, like-minded people gathered together and wanted to have a place to meet. In 1848 a one (1) room school was built. Union School/Church was the social center and worship location for the people in the area. Then, in 1866, a stand-alone church was built. During harvest time, farmers took a small part of grain out to pay for the church. In 1959, the current sanctuary was built. Since then, there have been youth activities, missions, bible study, and generations of Au Sable Grove Presbyterian church members. Many of the nearby roads were named after the founders.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

Tina Beaird, with Oswego Heritage Association, spoke about history of The Chapel on the Green. Built in 1855, the Chapel is a charming historic venue for weddings. Many renovations have occurred including new floors and a new roof. The chapel has the original stained glass windows. The windows will need to be restored, which the church is working on currently. There is a memorial bench for Howard Manthei who was active in several organizations in the area including Chapel on the Green. Recently, the Chapel on the Green received a large collection of vintage wedding clothes, gowns and accessories dating between 1800 and 1930.

Chapel on the Green was also recognized for its part in assisting those escaping from slavery through the Underground Railroad.

Tina Valentine, with the Plano Historic Museum, spoke about the fundraiser to restore the Chamber of Commerce's reaper, the 1883 Plano Manufacturing Harvester which appeared in parades for many years. The Plano Historic Museum is at 4 S. West Street and is open Saturdays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. She also discussed the books that she wrote about the reaper.

Jill Morgan, with the City of Aurora, spoke about the major rehabbing of Copley Hospital Healthcare Center. Ms. Morgan also spoke about The Venue on Broadway. The Venue is a live music performance space in downtown Aurora, Illinois, with a two hundred (200) seat venue and outdoor stage when weather permits. She also discussed the impact of the River’s Edge Tax Credit.

Ed Hatteberg, with the Norsk Museum, spoke about the how families can attend several museums for One Dollar ($1) per family in LaSalle County through a passport system. The Norsk Museum is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., June through September. The museum is located in the former Hauge Lutheran Church. The Norway Temperance Hall is listed on the National Register as a contributing building to the Norway Historic District. Built in 1909, by the Methodist Church, the Norway Temperance Hall served as a social and educational center in the community. It is currently on the list of Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. He also discussed the upcoming bicentennial of the settlement of Norway.

Mary Lou Wehrli, with Naperville Preservation and Friends of the Green Barn and Oak Cottage, is an active advocate of public trails, local history, and historic preservation. She spoke about the Mayslake Peabody Mansion, an estate constructed as a country home for Francis Stuyvesant Peabody, a coal magnate, between 1919 and 1922. After Peabody's death during a fox hunt on the grounds, the property went to the Franciscan religious order of the Catholic Church. The legend says that Peabody's corpse had been preserved in formaldehyde and lay in state, suspended in a glass coffin on the altar of the little Portiuncula Chapel which is still on the grounds. Rumors spread and teenagers went to the grounds for a peek inside. If apprehended by the monks, the teens would be punished by kneeling on salt or broken glass, which was not true. Mr. Peabody is interred in a nearby cemetery. People who visit the property say it is haunted.

Lisa Wolancevich, with Kendall County Historical Society, stated that the mission of the Society is to aid in the preservation, renovation and economic promotion of historic buildings and sites in the Yorkville area, the Old Jail at 111 West Madison Street was one of them. A haunted house was held in the jail to help raise funds to keep the building maintained. It was slated for possible demolition. There are now tenants in the building. The Kendall County Historical Society encourages new people to join in and help save the historical landmarks. She also discussed efforts to renovate the buildings on the Lyon Farm and various fundraisers.

Philip Buchanan, from Naperville Preservation Society, is a Project Manager in the Museum Exhibits industry. projects include the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, and The Great Train Story and Toymaker at the Museum of Science and Industry. He has worked in just about every large museum in the Chicagoland area.

DISCUSSION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS

Mr. Asselmeier reported that the application deadline for historic preservation awards is the end of the day on February 28, 2024. To date, the County has received five (5) applications.

DISCUSSION OF THE OLDEST BUILDING AND OLDEST BUSINESS IN KENDALL COUNTY

The Kendall County Record was considered the oldest continually operating business.

Discussion occurred regarding the stone barn that were used to house prisoners prior to the construction of a County jail and was used to hide from Native Americans.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Mr. Bernacki noted that the Commission had been holding meetings at various historic locations throughout the County.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Valentine asked about the changes to the Kendall County Recorder of Deeds Office’s website. Mr. Asselmeier said that she should contact Recorder of Deed Debbie Gillette.

Discussion occurred about inviting Native American tribes to have educational events in the County.

ADJOURNMENT

Member Flowers made a motion, seconded by Member Heiman, to adjourn. With a voice vote of three (3) ayes, the motion carried. The Historic Preservation Commission adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

https://www.kendallcountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/29898/638466979172800000