St. Charles Heritage Center to recognize park district's 100th birthday

As long as there is something significant to celebrate in the city, the St. Charles Heritage Center wants to make sure there is a party.

After a successful gala event commemorating the center's 75th anniversary two years ago, members of the Heritage Center board decided it would be a good idea to celebrate other major accomplishments or milestones in the city and aid the center's mission in preserving history at the same time.

With that in mind, the Heritage Center, which operates the St. Charles History Museum, will celebrate the 100th birthday of the St. Charles Park District with its first Heritage Ball at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Hotel Baker.

“Every year we want to celebrate a part of our community,” said Brian Henry, the fundraising chairman for the center. “Since the park district will be 100 years old next year, it was a natural to select it for 2011.”

Henry said the center's board was so pleased with the response to the 75th anniversary gala in 2008, it decided that a Heritage Center Ball with dining and dancing would become its annual top fundraiser.

Board president Brad Urhausen feels the museum has played an important role in the community for 77 years and he is confident that an event like a gala ball will increase awareness.

“As our community continues to grow, the need for collecting, preserving, and presenting St. Charles history increases exponentially,” Urhausen stated in a written statement. “It will help raise awareness and support, not only for our role in the community, but also the role that other critical community organizations, like the St. Charles Park District, have played.”

Henry said the board has worked harder in the weaker economy to get donations for the ball, but considers that a positive.

“Our philosophy has always been that the community will support the Heritage Center if we get out and ask for help,” Henry said. “The response has been very positive and we're getting some really nice auction items. We know the winner of the 50-50 raffle will win thousands of dollars, we just don't know yet how many thousands.”

A “thermometer” in front of the History Museum at 215 E. Main St. keeps track of the raffle amount, and Henry said it has a top amount of $4,500 for the winner that board members would like to see reached.

“We know it's possible,” Henry said. “It's just a matter of reaching enough people.”

Tickets for the Heritage Center Ball at $125 per person, or 50-50 raffle tickets can be purchased at the center or by calling (630) 584-6967.