Rolling Meadows museum gets first major renovation

The Rolling Meadows Historical Museum - a replica of one of the city's first ranch homes - is closed through April while crews perform its first major renovation since opening in 2002.

"After 15 years, it's maintenance and upkeep," said Fred Vogt, the city's director of public works. "Putting 'TLC' into it - we haven't done a lot of that."

Vogt said workers will stabilize the building foundation after discovering it has settled a bit; patch a number of cracks in walls; repair windows and door frames; and put a fresh coat of paint on both the interior and exterior. Last year, they replaced sump pumps to improve drainage and upgraded the roof.

The city has budgeted $25,000 for the latest fixes, though Vogt expects to spend $15,000 to $20,000.

Though the Rolling Meadows Park District owns the land on which the museum sits at 3100 Central Road, the city is responsible for its operation and maintenance, under terms of a long-term agreement between the two.

The one-story ranch and attached garage, meant to resemble one of developer Kimball Hill's original Rolling Meadows homes, contains 1950s decor, fully furnished rooms and historical documents, photos and displays. Vogt said the museum's longtime volunteer curators aren't planning major changes to the exhibits once the museum reopens.

Officials have targeted Wednesday, April 4, for the reopening date. After the renovation is complete, the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.