November 2009

To our Members and Friends, Here is an update on our ‘History on the Move’ project. The Board of Trustees just received from JLA Architects the final plan for the Society’s vision of the renovated Hannah Solomon Cottage.

Beyond question, this plan guides us to a dramatic and inspiring new home base, as the Park Ridge History Center. Walker Johnson and Meg Kindelin, experts in the architecture of historic preservation, listened to our hopes and dreams, and returned to us with an exciting and bold vision for our headquarters.

A place for display of our historic artifacts, within a nationally recognized historic building, but also a contemporary space with movable partitions, to accommodate special displays, lectures, scout and student visits, receptions and Society gatherings. We are confident this renovation will reflect well on the entire Park Ridge community. Soon we begin our capital campaign to raise funds to make our vision into our new home. Renovation of the Cottage is the largest undertaking in the history of the Society.

You will receive a brochure with details of our plan, including a depiction of the interior of  the renovated Cottage. We will ask your generous financial support to help bring our ‘History on the Move’ program to a successful completion during the Park Ridge City Centennial Year, which begins next May. We will continue to keep you advised of our plans in the Lamppost and at our website. If you have any questions about our plans or fund-raising, please let me know by mail (721 North Prospect Avenue), telephone (847.696.1973) or email ([email protected].). Thank you.

Sunday, October 18, we came together for the 37th Annual Meeting of the Park Ridge Historical Society. On a day blessed with sunshine and blue skies, the 62 members and guests who gathered at the Park Ridge Country Club were treated to spectacular views of the golf course in full fall color outside the large windows of the Grand Ballroom. A delicious three-course meal was served, and judging by the animated conversation enjoyed around the tables, those gathered for the meal all share a fascination with history and a deep affection for Park Ridge.

Sharon Porterfield and Barbara Christopher provided substantial help in getting the work started, working with Paul Adlaf in sorting out and packing portions of the Society collections which had accumulated in the basement, in the furniture, and in the closets for the past 25 years. The entire group of Trustees worked together during several packing sessions, putting display items from the kitchen, parlor, dining room, and bedrooms into cartons for storage. Society President Jeff Caudill arranged for most of the moving services, working with his son Jack and several other young men to transfer our boxed collections, furniture, and accessories into storage. Despite the constant threat of rain during the final days, this team worked long and hard to effect the relocation. All of us underestimated the sheer volume of material to be placed into storage, and the Society thanks the moving team for making it all happen before the 14th.

It was a busy summer for the Society, despite the rigors of preparing for moving all of our collections and furniture into storage by mid-October.

Even with our moving plans in progress, the Society will continue to be a presence in Park Ridge in 2010 with its signature programs, and continuing special events aligned to reflect our ‘History on the Move’ theme.