Lombard Historical Commission to name Heritage Award winner
LOMBARD, Illinois—Since the arrival of Ralph and Morgan Babcock in 1833, the community of Lombard has built a rich and distinctive heritage. The Lombard Historical Commission, formed in 1970, advocates for Lombard's heritage by raising public awareness of historic preservation within the community.
The Commission will soon announce the winner or winners of the first Lombard Heritage Award. Five nominations have been submitted by residents and organizations within the Village of Lombard for the inaugural presentation. The award was created by the Lombard Historical Commission in the spring of this year to recognize individuals, organizations, projects and programs that demonstrate a commitment to excellence in historic preservation.
This year nominations include projects and individuals who displayed outstanding Stewardship, Leadership and Advocacy as well as Lifetime Achievement and notably a New Construction project that enhances a neighboring historic structure.
Jack Brust is nominated for the award in the category of Lifetime Achievement. Brust has championed historic preservation, planning and public policy by playing an active role in many civic organizations. He has worked on the Lombard Bi-Centennial Commission, the Log Cabin Committee, the Maple Street Chapel Endowment Fund, the Sheldon Peck House Preservation Committee and worked to restart Lombard's favorite tradition, the Lilac Parade.
In the category of Stewardship, the Maple Street Chapel Preservation Society has been nominated for “thoughtful maintenance and continued use of a historic resource by its owner.” The non-profit Preservation Society is an all-volunteer organization, founded in 2000, to engage in “aggressive financial, preservation and maintenance strategies that will assure the long-term life and preservation of the Maple Street Chapel.” The chapel is Lombard's oldest public building.
The restoration project of the Lombard Cemetery and adjoining Babcock Grove Park was also nominated as an outstanding example of Stewardship. The restoration of the Cemetery at 460 S. Main Street has been a joint effort between the Village of Lombard, the Lombard Historical Society, the Lombard Historical Commission, the Lombard Park District and the Lombard Garden Club. Restoration work has included the repair and reinstallation of damaged head stones, the addition of a wrought iron perimeter fence and brass name plaques, clearing old trees and shrubs and the purchase of more than 2000 daffodil bulbs by the Lombard Garden Club.
Out of the 1969 Village Centennial celebration came the idea to establish an organization to preserve Lombard's heritage. Many members of that committee were appointed by the Village of Lombard to the Historical Commission and were instrumental in the formation of the Lombard Historical Society. For that reason, the 1970 founding Board of Management of the Lombard Historical Society: President Pat Wallace, Vice President Gerri Watts, and Board members Peg Carvell, Barbara Graves, Ruth Hammerschmidt, Charles Herrick, Marie Holle, Sena Krieg, Roger Lidicker, Joan Masterson, Patricia Poskocil, Florence Price, Helen Reidell, Rita Schneider, August “Bud” Schweppe, Estelle Wasz and Arthur Williams have been nominated in the category of Leadership.
New Construction is an award category that recognizes sensitive new design within the existing scale of a historic area. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Carroll of 119 N. Main Street have been nominated for their work to replace an existing garage with a new garage that replicates the two story carriage house originally located on the property. Using old photographs and other research they were able to recreate the charm of the past and enhance the appearance of their entire property. Their home was built in 1881 by Dr William LeRoy and is affectionately known as “the Little Orphan Annie house.”
The winner(s) of the award will be announced at the October 4 Village Board meeting. The presentation of the award will mark the beginning of Lombard History month. Lombard History month is celebrated in October every year.