Historic Commission

Minutes of the City of Wheaton Historic Commission November 17, 2015 Meeting Held at City Hall, Wheaton, Illinois Attendance- Present: Barbara Dutton (Vice Chair), Nancy Flannery (Chair), Maureen Fogerty, Tom Kay, Steph McGrath (Secretary), Greg Morrison, Bob Shuster. Absent: Emelie Engling, Frank Principe. The meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm. Minutes of the October 20, 2015 meeting were approved following a motion made by Tom, seconded by Bob, and passed unanimously. Public Comment- None Old Business -Planning for 2016 Preservation Week Garden presentation Barbara and Maureen reported on their continued research into a Wheaton Estate Garden presentation focusing on a local focus/input on their estate gardens idea. Proposed speaker Barbara Geiger may be too busy to create the local aspect to augment her existing topic presentation. Mike Dixon expressed interest, but is also too busy. Two new ideas were to consult Diane Gutenkauf at Cantigny to see who has done related research there, and approach the staff at DuPage County Historical Museum to see if they’d be interested in developing something related to Wheaton parks, estates and the park district that would not only work for our presentation, but that they could use in future programming, particularly given their relationship with the Wheaton Park District. It might mean changing the proposed focus of the five featured parks (Adams, Memorial, Cosley, Northside and Hurley), but was considered worth exploring. Possible venues for the presentation discussed were Memorial Park, DuPage County Historical Museum and the Wheaton Public Library. The latter seemed the preferred venue as it opens directly onto Adams Park. The library might also be willing to host an exhibit of related garden photographs. Barbara also said she and Maureen now thought partnering with the city’s Fine & Cultural Arts Commission might be worth exploring. Bike tour Barbara said she’d had no further word from the Environmental Commission re the bike tour map of Wheaton parks, so didn’t know if we’d have it for next spring or not. Preservation Celebration The length of next year’s Preservation event was discussed, centering on whether or not to have Preservation Week extended to Preservation Month. It was suggested using a non-time related term, like Preservation Celebration instead of Preservation Week. It was decided to discuss possible titles along this line at the December meeting. Lengthening the celebration might make it easier for the public and commissioners to attend more events. Pride in Preservation signs The duration that the Pride in Preservation signs might be on display was discussed. An entire month was proposed, but it was noted that in the past when the signs were left up longer than a week and a ½, some homeowners complained the signs interfered with lawn mowing. Also the longer the signs are up, then the greater the risk that they might be lost or damaged. It was suggested that sign placement and removal could be a fun and easy community service project for Wheaton high school students needing service hour credit. Nancy offered to check school calendars and with the high schools. It might also be an activity that would interest a scout troop for community service, but it was pointed out that it would require parents to drive them around. Lecture Bob Shuster will give a presentation during Preservation Celebration 2016 based on his research on Marcellus Jones, Wheaton notable , famous as the Union soldier who fired the first shot at Gettysburg. -Bollards Nancy reported that Sarah Phalen at the West Chicago City did not find any images of the 1973 downtown railroad station, but was putting the word out among her contacts. Nancy has also followed up with the DuPage County Historical Museum and has submitted a formal research request for the 1973 Wheaton railroad station photograph. Steph said she had not heard back from her email to the developers of the station and will contact them by phone. -Register of Historic Places The Register of Historic Places application was discussed, mainly about the narrative summary of proof and whether to require specific items of proof for all applicants. Suggestions were discussed for the former. It was agreed the latter may be dropped altogether on the form and the applicant could instead rely on the resource listings. This might streamline the paperwork and make it less confusing. Nancy, Steph and Barbara will meet as a subcommittee to work on these modifications before the next Commission meeting. The owners of 1023 E. Jefferson Ave indicated they will do more research. Nancy will offer again to meet with them at the library to go over their research and provide some one-on-one guidance. -Planning & Zoning meeting re 208 N. West Street Maureen attended the Planning & Zoning meeting at which she read a statement on behalf of the Historic Commission. The Planning & Zoning Board voted against the project as proposed and it now goes to City Council. We reviewed our statement and agreed to send it to Council, perhaps with some additional historic background. Nancy said she would review the statement and work with Steph on possible edits. There was some interesting speculation on what Drummond himself might think about his house being preserved vs. torn down and the lot redeveloped. -Wheaton Register of Historic Places Nancy discovered some errors and omissions by reviewing old minutes and records, in lieu of the missing Center for History files. Some places on the Wheaton Register of Historic Places have been demolished and are no longer extant, including a Frank Lloyd Wright prefab house. -Potential New Commissioners Nancy reported on names given to her since last meeting, leading to a few more suggestions. New Business -Financial Report There were no new expenditures. Nancy suggested we join Landmarks Illinois as an Illinois Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC) member for $50 which would allow us to receive the newsletter. Bob moved we become an IHPC member, Greg seconded, and the motion passed unanimously -Local Historic Houses for Sale The Dart house at 139 W. Park, not one of our landmarks, on a ½ acre lot has just been listed for sale, so there was some concern it might be torn down. The other house for sale is landmarked, Ballyshear, Charles Blair Macdonald’s 1897 home in the Chicago Golf Club Colony and designed by Jarvis Hunt. -End of Term This was Bob’s last meeting. Nancy reviewed some of the projects he’d worked on during his 3 year term, including finding speakers, creating a walking tour and booklet, and his many efforts on the Masonic Temple bollard sign, from research to installation. All were sorry to see him go, but he will be back as a featured presenter during our spring preservation event. Commissioner Comments -Barbara reported about the McKee house. -Nancy brought in flyers from a house walk held the previous weekend featuring one of our landmarked homes, two other historic homes, and one new. -Bob expressed his pleasure at serving on the Historic Commission and handed out copies of some finds in the old Wheaton Illinoian newspaper. Adjournment Greg moved to adjourn, Maureen seconded, the motion passed unanimously, and the meeting concluded at 8:35 pm. Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 7:00 pm, City Hall Steph McGrath, secretary