Libertyville DAR Awards Excellence in Historic Preservation
On July 17, 2022, members of Libertyville Ansel Brainerd Cook (ABC) chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) and friends were invited to attend an exclusive private tour of the historic 1852 Montelona Farm in Richmond IL.
The ABC chapter learned about Montelona Farm from a Zoom presentation that Rommy Lopat and ABC member Michelle Bray Wilson gave to us in 2020. They both co-wrote the book Montelona Farm, The Story of Pioneer William A. McConnell's Homestead in Richmond, Illinois. This book was two years in the making. Lopat had met Wilson at a DAR genealogy workshop and approached Wilson to ask if she had ever done "genealogy" on a home. This meeting marked the beginning of their collaboration on William A. McConnell.
The tour started outdoors in the beautiful manicured grounds with Rommy Lopat, current owner of the historic estate, giving us a history lesson on the background of William A. McConnell, original owner and builder of Montelona Farm.
Lopat's history lesson drew us in as she talked about young William. In 1836 McConnell, age 26 and already an experienced carpenter, left Muncy, Pennsylvania to settle in Illinois. His claim for his land was staked in 1837 from the newly formed McHenry County. He would eventually purchase 1400 acres in the town that was originally called Montelona. Montelona was renamed the Village of Richmond when it was platted in 1844.
McConnells's land was chosen quite carefully as it is located on a hill, between a woodland savanna and grassland barrens. Drinking water was plentiful from a spring and the nearby Nippersink Creek. McConnell, his wife Elizabeth Bodine and their 3 sons lived in a log cabin for 15 years.
In 1852 William A. McConnell built a two story, 5 bedroom Greek Revival style home higher up the hill. The homestead was crafted out of the finest materials available.
We headed inside the home where every room has been meticulously restored with as many original features as possible.
In 1868, the McConnell's gave the "big house" to their son John and a built a modest retirement home across the street. They resided there until his death on October 9, 1887. That home still stands today along with a variety of early barns now owned by the McHenry County Conservation District.
From 1852 until 1987 the original homestead stayed in the McConnell family until being purchased by Lopat and her husband, John Drummond.
Lopat also revitalized Montelona Farm's seven acres by removing buckthorn and designing a beautiful 27' x 47' Victorian kitchen garden, a period flower garden along the original circle drive, a prairie and native woodland, and creating a "palais de poulet" (chicken coop). The grounds are absolutely breathtaking.
After the tour concluded, the members of the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter presented Rommy Lopat and Michelle Bray Wilson each with the DAR Excellence in Historic Preservation Certificate and Medal. Lopat was also presented with a check from the ABC Chapter to the W.A. McConnell Foundation which is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the greater Richmond area.
The Ansel Brainerd Chapter, NSDAR, is celebrating its 45th year. The chapter was organized in September 1977 in Libertyville by 17 members. The chapter has now grown to include more than 175 members. In 2021, the ABC chapter members logged in 7,705 volunteer hours in the communities in which we work and live.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its 190,000 plus members in approximately 3000 chapters worldwide all have proven their lineage from patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. The DAR is one of the most active service organizations. DAR members have committed to volunteer service having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities throughout the world.
For more information about the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter, please visit:
https://ildar.org/chapters/anselbrainerdcook
or e-mail us at: ABC4DAR@gmail.com
To purchase the book Montelona Farm, The Story of William A. McConnell's Homestead in Richmond, Illinois, please visit the website:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/michelle-bray-wilson-and-rommy-lopat/montelona-farm/hardcover/product-1569r4kp.html. It is also available for sale at the McHenry County Historical Society in Union, Illinois.