Historic Commission

Minutes of the City of Wheaton Historic Commission October 17, 2017 Meeting Held at City Hall, Wheaton, Illinois Attendance Present: Emelie Engling, Nancy Flannery (Chair), Maureen Fogerty, Tom Kay, Steph McGrath (Secretary), Frank Principe, Bob Purdy, Barbara Dutton (Vice Chair) The meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm. Public comment None Approval of Minutes The minutes of the September 19, 2017 meeting were approved as corrected following a motion by Bob, seconded by Maureen, and passed unanimously. Old Business Preservation Month 2018 -Bob Schuster, Billy Graham Archives, has offered to present a lecture during Preservation Month 2018 on the dispute over the DuPage County Seat 1857-1868. 2018 will be the 150th anniversary of Wheaton assuming the government of the county, and the opening of the county courthouse. Nancy will confirm with Bob about possible dates. -Emelie suggested having an appraisal event -Nancy reported that the History bike ride held with the Wheaton Bicycle Advisory Committee attracted 40 people and was a success. At the request of the Wheaton Bicycle Advisory Committee plans have been made to offer a WW1 themed bike tour during Preservation Month. -Nancy is still trying to make contacts with the design firm handling the Martin Memorial Plaza renovations and how that will affect the historical marker -Maureen is still working on finding a speaker from Cantigny for the Robert McCormick lecture. She reported that due to some difficulties finding a veteran’s service dog, her talk Rags and Stubby Go to the Front need to be cancelled. There was discussion about the need to find someone for the preservation techniques talk. The Commission discussed including someone from the city to present information on codes, permits and the Northside Overlay District. -Nancy emphasized that the Commission needs to get titles and descriptions of programs by early December in order to be included in the Wheaton Public Library’s newsletter and PR. Miscellaneous -Nancy informed the Commission that the USGA’s 2018 Senior Woman’s Open will be held at Chicago Golf Club in July 2018. Nancy would like to come up with a talk on Wheaton’s golf history, focusing on women. -Emelie has been reappointed for another term ending October 2020. -Saturday, November 11 at 10 am there will be a ceremony celebrating the renovation of the WW1 obelisk monument at Northside Park. Nancy mentioned that there will be a podcast on November 8th with the World War I Centennial Organization for the 100 Cities 100 Memorials grant; there will be a brass plaque/medallion affixed to the monument. -The DuPage County Historical Museum walking tour will be held during Preservation Month and according to Michelle Podkowa, DCHM, it will include new history aspects. -Frank reported the he is still trying to get the oil painting at Lubko Center back to the rightful owner/heir. The Kiwanis organization owns the painting. New Business -Historic neighborhood Graf Park is threatened. There’s a Save Graf Park group organized. Ways the Commission can show its support for saving Graf Park were discussed. -A formal request needs to be made to Wheaton Public Library to add the 1939 aerial photo to their website under local history resources, to join the 1882 Bird’s Eye and 1906 Captive Airship views. Commissioner Comments -Emelie reported on Wheaton Public Library Wheaton Reads WWI book; a Culinary Historians group will have an event at Jesse Wheaton house featuring recipes found at the house. -Frank brought up the September 19, 1917 farewell parade for departing veterans. -Tom was interested in hearing Frank’s story. -Bob brought in copies of Preservation magazine; he will attend the Past Forward Conference next month. -Barb reported on the McKee Group’s planning document outlining fundraising, timeline, PR and restoration; she took a self-guided Art Deco tour in Tulsa. Adjournment Maureen moved to adjourn, Bob seconded, the motion passed unanimously, and the meeting concluded at 8:30 pm.