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HomeMy WebLinkAboutS3-92 422300. 8 922,1(10S2 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, 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 Passed: March 25, 1992 T4222_ 04--/06/92 Omnibus Vote: Yeas 5 Nays 0 Recorded: C01-II N'FY i?ECORDER Published: Attest: s/ Dolonna Mecum Return to: Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Dolonna Mecum Elgin City Clerk 150 Dexter Court Elgin , IL 601 ?n 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 . Georg VanDeVoorde, Mayor Presented: March 25, 1992 Passed: March 25, 1992 Omnibus Vote: Yeas 5 Nays 0 Recorded: April 6, 1992 (Cook County) Published: Attest: Do onna Mecum, City Clerk I El In Agenda item No . 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. • 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. i . - 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 Publid 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 • 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 • Att t phe?. Bone, Secretary aquions; 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.- • 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 I.11inois. 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. i i • 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 ; .1-suitable for preservation. Y • 1 • • 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. •