Eight in Elgin receive Mayor’s Awards for preserving history

Dan Miller bought a used table saw in 1975 to do work on his own house because it was cheaper. Now he has a new home, more tools and a business called The Woodworks.

Miller was one of eight people to receive awards at the 22nd annual Elgin Mayor’s Awards for Preservation ceremony Thursday.

Now he can add a fifth Mayor’s Award to his wall, collected over years of work restoring historic homes.

This year Miller will receive an Artisan Award, not for his own home improvements but for his work re-creating arch details for homeowners throughout the community.

“My woodworking is the center of my life,” Miller said. “This is the highlight of my career.”

Since 2005 when Miller retired as a teacher, he has been able to focus more heavily on his love of architectural woodworking.

Carl Brahms and Nicole Tuhy-Brahms also received an award Thursday for restoring their porch, some of the details of which Miller crafted in his wood shop.

Councilman John Steffen handed out the awards at the ceremony Thursday in Mayor David Kaptain’s absence. Steffen has his own connection to historic preservation in Elgin, living in a century-old home himself.

Six people received Mayor’s Awards at the ceremony and Steve Stroud received the George Van de Voorde award for his lifetime achievement in promoting Elgin’s heritage.

Other awards went to:

Ÿ Paul Schmolke for leading a team restoring 351 Griswold St.

Ÿ Doug Tomsha for volunteering countless hours at the Elgin History Museum.

Ÿ ECC History Committee for publishing 60 Years of Elgin Community College.

Ÿ Black History Family Festival for fostering appreciation of black history.

Ÿ Police Academy Alumni Association for creating the history displays in the lobby of the Elgin Police Department.