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Ordinance No. S3-92
AN ORDINANCE
DESIGNATING THE ELGIN PUBLIC MUSEUM AS A HISTORICAL LANDMARK
WHEREAS, the Elgin Heritage Commission has conducted a
public hearing and determined that the Elgin Public Museum
meets the criteria of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as .
amended, for designation as a historical landmark; and
WHEREAS, the Elgin Heritage Commission has submitted its
report and findings in support of its determination and
recommendation; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the recommendation
of the Elgin Heritage Commission and concurs in the
recommendation to designate the Elgin Public Museum as a
historical landmark.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that the Elgin Public Museum, located
upon the property legally described as follows :
Block #2 of Oakwood Park according to the plat
thereof recorded in the Recorder' s Office in Cook
County (said real estate lying and being within the
limits of the City of Elgin) containing about 50
acres more or less .
be and is hereby designated as a historical landmark as •
provided in Chapter 20 . 06 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976 ,
as amended.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the City Clerk is authorized tj
and directed to provide notice, send copies of the ordinance, N
and record a certified copy of the ordinance in the office of C�
the Recorder of Deeds of Cook County; Illinois .
Gh
s/ George VanDeVoorde
George VanDeVoorde, Mayor
Presented: March 25, 1992 [EP'T-U9 NHiC. $3•0(Passed: March 25, 1992 T4:L:r22 TRW, 15 4 04/0F:;v�
Omnibus Vote: Yeas 5 Nays 0 8)- t`371,
Recorded: COOK COUNTY TY ff,CO cG. -
Published: .
Attest:
an•°
s/ Dolonna Mecum Return to:
r�Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Dolonna Mecu
Elgin City Cle `�
150 Dexter Court
Elgin, IL 60120
• Ordinance No. S3-92
AN ORDINANCE
DESIGNATING THE ELGIN PUBLIC MUSEUM AS A HISTORICAL LANDMARK
WHEREAS, the Elgin Heritage Commission has conducted a
public hearing and determined that the Elgin Public Museum
meets the criteria of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as
amended, for designation as a historical landmark; and
WHEREAS, the Elgin Heritage Commission has submitted its
report and findings in support of its determination and
recommendation; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the recommendation
of the Elgin Heritage Commission and concurs in the
recommendation to designate the Elgin Public Museum as a
historical landmark.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that the Elgin Public Museum, located
upon the property legally described as follows :
Block #2 of Oakwood Park according to the plat
thereof recorded in the Recorder' s Office in Cook
• County (said real estate lying and being within the
limits of the City of Elgin) containing about 50 •
acres more or less .
be and is hereby designated as a historical landmark as
provided in Chapter 20 . 06 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976 ,
as amended.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the City Clerk is authorized
and directed to provide notice, send copies of the ordinance,
and record a certified copy of the ordinance in the office of
the Recorder of Deeds of Cook County, Illinois .
s/ George VanDeVoorde
George VanDeVoorde, Mayor
Presented: March 25, 1992
Passed: March 25,• 1992
Omnibus Vote: Yeas 5 Nays 0
Recorded:
Published:
Attest:
s/ Dolonna Mecum
• Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk
Elml�
OFf�
;�� -•cty; Agenda Item No.
o." � 0
9 e
March 5, 1992
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
FROM: Larry L. Rice, City Manager
SUBJECT: Elgin Public Museum
PURPOSE: The purpose of this memorandum is to inform the
Mayor and the City Council that the Elgin Heritage
Commission has recommended that the Elgin Public Museum be
designated as a Local Historic Landmark.
111 _BACKGROUND: The Elgin municipal Code provides for the
nomination of landmarks to the Heritage Commission. Upon
determination by the Heritage Commission that the nominated
structure/property meets the consideration requirements, a
public hearing must be conducted. Within thirty days
following the close of the public hearing, the Commission
must pass by resolution, their determination of
approval/disapproval of the nomination. A report stating
the findings of the Commission is attached to the
resolution, and ' sent to the owner of record and City
Council .
Upon receipt of the recommendation from the Commission that
the nominated landmark be designated , the Council is
required to reject the nomination by formal resolution, or
designate the landmark by an ordinance. The Council has the
option of holding a public hearing prior to enacting the
resolution or ordinance.
Heritage Commission member Jerry Turnquist has nominated
the Elgin Public Museum as a landmark. The Heritage
Commission has reviewed his application, held a public
hearing on the matter, and passed a resolution recommending
that the Public Museum be designated a Local Historic
Landmark. Support data has been attached for your review.
•
r.'
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council
designate the Elgin Public Museum as a Local Historic
Landmark.
Larry L. Rice,�'ty Manager
ly
• RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDING DESIGNATION OF ELGIN PUBLIC MUSEUM AS
A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
WHEREAS, The Elgin Heritage Commission, a Commission of the
City of Elgin, may review and recommend to the City Council
local historic landmarks; and
WHEREAS, said Commission has recommended that Elgin Public
Museum,also known as Lord Memorial Museum, Lord' s Park
Museum, and the Elgin Audubon Museum, be designated as a
local historic landmark; and
WHEREAS, Elgin Public Museum was constructed as the Lord
Memorial Museum in 1907; and •
WHEREAS, Elgin Public Museum was designed by D. E. Postle,
a prominent local architect, in the Neoclassical Style;
and
WHEREAS, Elgin Public Museum is the second oldest building
built to house a museum, which still serves that purpose,
in the State of Illinois, and
S WHEREAS, Elgin Public Museum is an example of the
philanthropic efforts of Mr. and Mrs. G. P. Lord, prominent
Elgin citizens, and .
WHEREAS, Elgin Public Museum is a locally recognized
building, in a unique setting, that is suitable for
preservation
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ELGIN HERITAGE
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, recommends
designation of Elgin Public Museum be and it is here by
designated as a Local Historic Landmark in the City of
Elgin.
Jerry Turnquist, Chairman
•
Presented: February 10, 1992
Adopted: February 10, 1992 .
Vote: 8 Yeas 0 Nays
111 Att
t phe . Bone, Secretary
•
MEMORANDUM
TO: Elgin City Council
FROM: Elgin Heritage Commission
RE: ELGIN PUBLIC MUSEUM LANDMARKING RECOMMENDATIONS
Elgin Public Museum
Recommendations of the Elgin Heritage Commission
in Accordance with 20 .06.070
of the Preservation Ordinance
The Elgin Public Museum meets several criteria for local
Landmark Designation.
1. The Elgin Public Museum built in 1907 , is the second
oldest building in the state built to house a museum, which
still serves that purpose.
2. The Elgin Public Museum was donated to the City by Mr &
Mrs. G.P. Lord, well known philanthropists in the city of
Elgin.
3 . The Elgin Public is designed in the Neoclassical design
by well known local architect D.E. Postle.
4. The Elgin Public Museum displays architecturally
significant detailing and craftsmanship typical of the
Neoclassical style, including stone window hoods, ionic
columns and stone quions. The interior of the building
still displays many features including ionic pilasters, an
oak balcony, and inlaid tile flooring.
5. The Elgin Public museum also displays architecturally
innovative design features by incorporating sky lights to
the solve the perceived -lighting problems.
6 . The Elgin Public Museum is located in picturesque
Lord' s Park and is recognized by many as a landmark
building.
7. The Elgin Public museum is very suitable for
preservation because of the excellent condition which the
building is in and the the continued museum use of the
building.
The museum has a great deal of structural integrity. -The
buildings main features have been well maintained. The 4.
features that should be maintained on the exterior of the
building are: The mortar profiles and consistency, of the
brick work; the stone hoods above the windows; the stone
quions; the entire entry way including the doors; and the
sky lights. Features on the interior of the building that
should be conserved are: the ionic plasters; arch
bracketing; oak balcony railings; and the inlaid tile
flooring.
We recommend that any work being proposed for the exterior
of the building should be reviewed appropriateness pursuant
to the provisions of Chapters 20 .08 and 20 . 10 of the
Preservation Ordinance. Any proposed future work to be
done to the building should follow the Secretary of the
Interiors, Guidelines for Rehabilitation.
The Elgin Public Museum is a part of the Elgin Heritage
Commissions mission to designate buildings of historic and
architectural importance in the City of Elgin.
It is the recommendation of the Elgin Heritage Commission
that the Elgin Public Museum be encouraged to continue its
present and historic use of operation as a Natural History
Museum.
•
411
APPLICANT DATA
Applicant Name: Elgin Public Museum
Street Address: 225 Grand Blvd.
Elgin, 11 60120
Common Name
of Location: Building is located in Lords Park .
Legal Address: Block # 2 of Oakwood Park according to
the plat thereof recorded in the
Recorder' s Office in Cook County
(said real estate lying and being
within the limits of the City of
Elgin) containing about 50 acres more
or less.
Property Owner: City of Elgin
Building Function: ``4
Museum
Description: Neo\Classical . Original building
design called for a Central , Hall with
north, east and west wings. While the
Central Hall entrance is a fine
example of turn-of-the-century
Neo-Classical interpretation, the
building was never completed as
designed. Only the central hall and
west wing were constructed,
consequently the building as a total
entity lacks the bilateral symmetry
expected of the Neo-Classical style.
Other Names by which
the building has been known:
Lord Memorial Museum
Lords Park Museum
Elgin Audubon Museum
•
ELGIN PUBLIC MUSEUM
in Lords Park
Criterion
A: The Elgin Public Museum building is the second oldest
building built to house a museum which still serves
that purpose. in the State of Illinois . It is likely
among the ten oldest in the United States .
Criterion
C: In 1904, Mr. & Mrs. G. P. Lord commissioned area
architect, D. E. Postle, to design a museum building
for the people of Elgin. The approved design called
for a Neo-classical building having a central hall ,
with north, south, east and west wings to provide
symmetry. The estimated cost of the building was
$20,000.00, most of which was to come from the Lord
• Family. Construction on the central hall began in the
fall of 1905. Several months later Mr. Lord died. In
memorial to her husband, Mrs. Lord had the west wing
built.
Although Mr. & Mrs. Lord had spent over $12,000.00 on
the construction of the "Lord Memorial Museum," there
was insufficient interest to continue construction in
1907 , and the east and north wings have never been
built. [See Addendum A: "Founder' s. Biographical
Sketch"]
Criterion
D: The building's Neo-Classical architectural style is
typical of the grand scale designs of turn-of-the
century public structures. The architect' s intent to
create a structure which would reflect the purpose of
the institution and the vision of its founders is
evident in his interpretation of the monumental style.
[See Addendum B: "Architect' s Biographical Sketch"]
Criterion
F: The interplay of brick and stone on the building" s
facade, the strong cornice patterns , and prominent
stone window hoods balance the deeply cut mortar
jointed stone foundation of the structure. the Ionic
• columns and pilasters, classical pediment, and
continuity of exterior design elements combine into an
excellent expression of a Neo-classical entrance.
page 2. . . Elgin Public Museum.
Stepping inside the Central Hall allows one to
experience the full grandeur of the architect ' s
neo-classical statement. Ionic pilasters , arch
bracketing, oak balcony railings , inlaid tile floor
patterns, and the thirty foot ceiling restate the
architect' s theme.
Criterion
G: The repeated use of sky lights demonstrates the
architect ' s ability to incorporate a practical
solution to the lighting problems of 1904 into the
design.
Criterion
H & J: The Elgin Public Museum is located in the beautiful
120-acre Lords Park on Elgin' s eastside. ' While the
Neo-Classical Elgin Public Museum building anchors the
north-end of the Park. The Lords Park pavilion, the
first building to receive City of Elgin Landmark
Designation status anchors the south-end. Between the
two historically significant structures is located a
small zoo with native hoofed animal species and a
summer farm petting zoo. Since its beginnings in the
1800 ' s, Lords Park has contributed significantly to
the health and well being of the residents of Elgin.
•
. .
SUMMARY OF LANDMARK DESIGNATION APPLICATION
The Elgin Public Museum building is believed to meet
the criterion set forth in Chapter .20.06 of the City of
Elgin Municipal Ordinance.
The building ' s construction is well documented and its
completion date is known to be 1907 . The building is
eighty-four (84) years old, at the time of this
application.
Further, it is believed and shall be demonstrated that
the building minimally meets the following criterion:
A-character , interest, and value; C-founder' s
contributions to community; D-architectural style;
F-architecturally significant detailing &
craftsmanship; G-architecturally innovative at
construction; H-unique location & recognized as a
landmark ; J-suitable for preservation.
• •
•
Addendum A •
FOUNDERS' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
George P. and Mary E. C. Lord
George P. and Mary E. C. Lord' s contributions and
dedication to the enhancement -of the quality o'f life in
Elgin is a matter of public record. G. P. Lord served as
mayor ( 1879-1880) , member of the first City Water
Commission ( 1887-1889) , President of the Board of Education
( 1884-1889) , President of the First National Bank of Elgin,
and as City Parks Commissioner ( 1893-1.906) .
As a couple, the Lords are responsible for several
significant financial contributions to Elgin institutions
including Sherman Hospital, Elgin Academy, Oak Crest
Residence, Lords Park and the Elgin Public Museum. Mr.
Lord stated, "Whatever we have done in Elgin, we have done
together with one mind and one purpose. It is not Mr. Lord
nor Mrs. Lord, but Mr. and Mrs. Lord."
The founding the the Elgin Public Museum and contracting
for the design and construction of the Elgin Public Museum
building were the couple' s final gifts to the community.
Mr. Lord passed away in the fall of 1906, and Mrs . Lord
funded the construction for the west wing—from the estate
in 1907 .
•
Addendum B
ARCHITECT' S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
David E. Postle
The Elgin Public Museum was designed by David E. Postle
( 1863-1939) who was a partner in the firm of Turnbull and
Postle. Other area structures designed by Postle include
the Elgin High School building on DuPage Street, the Lords
Park Pavilion, Faith United Methodist Church on Center
Street, and the double-house at 54-56 North Liberty which
was his personal residence.
•
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