PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION Box 2555. Station A Champaign. 61825

"The <;Past GfIas c:.A Gf'uture"

Volume 10 May -June, 1990 Number 3

Focus On: The Levi Wood House

The Levi Wood House was constructed between 1870and 1873by Mr. Wood, a prominent fanner of Champaign County, as his farmresidence. It is a two story brick Italianate house, with a fullbasement and attic, which retains many interior features of fine quality including much of its inte- rior woodwork. Original plasterwork ceil- ing moldings grace both of the first floor parlors, and even a finished basement room!Theelegantcurved stairway appears to have run from the basement up to the ~condfloor at one time, but now only .:onnects the first and second floors. The northeast parlor room contains a small marble fireplace. The house was altered slightly when the bathrooms and modem kitchen were added.

Unfortunately, the exterior of the house ture. Though significant deterioration of Throughthe Gtizens AdvisoryCommittee, has lost some of its unique ornamental the summer kitchen has occurred, the the Champaign County Forest Preserve features such as its cupola, cornice frieze, originalhouse is stillquite sound. District Board is seeking input regarding and brackets.Ornate window hoods crown the future of the house. A subcommittee is The Levi Wood House is located in the the top of each of the windows in the being created especially to consider op- Middle Fork River Forest Preserve of the original square structure. There was a tions for the building. The District is very "summer kitchen" wing, added to the rear ChampaignCountyForestPreserveDistrict. open to suggestions and any help from and southeast comer at a later date, which The preserve is in the northeast comer of persons having knowledge and experience does not have the same detailing around the county (Kerr Township) and is about relating to the research, evaluation, re- six miles north of Penfield. While this its windows. But old photographs show cording, financing, and potential use of that the summer kitchen addition was also preserveis the largest ofthe district's facil- historicstructures. ornamented; its porch, which faced to the ities, it is probably one of their best kept north, was decoratedwith column, spindle, secrets. An annual event that generates An option that currently exists does in- and fan millwork. considerable activity at the old farmstead clude the possibilitythat demolition might is the I & I Tractor Oub's Historic Farm occur if there is not shown to be serious Mortgage and trust deed records appear to Days. The club utilizes their own antique interest and financialsupport in the com- show that approximately $6,000 was raised farm equipment to demonstrate bygone munity for the significantexpense a resto- during the period from February of 1870 to farming techniques on the land of the rationor adaptive use projectwould entail. February of 1873, probably to finance the ForestPreserve District. original construction. An additional $3,000 All interested persons are highly encour- was raised in June of 1882, again through The District acquired much of the land in aged to become members of this subcom- 'l\ortgages on the land, for the construc- the 1970s and the parcel with the house in mittee. Volunteershaving any information Dnof the addition. It is interesting to note 1973. Since the acquisition, a limited (especially old photographs) they might that there is a significant change in the amount of research has been done and have regarding the property are asked to quality of construction between the main initial inquiries made to determine any' contact Rose Geier-Wilson, Chair, Levi house and the summer kitchen addition. historical and architectural significance of WoodHouse Subcommittee, CCFPDCiti- The addition has not survived the ravages the structure. The house is currently va- zens Advisory Committee, 217/359-0986 of time as well as has the original struc- cant and not open to the public. or 384-2430. ..- . _.. -.~-.

Keeping America's Heritage Alive in Champaign County Preservation Week, recently celebrated throughout the United States under the theme "KeepingAmerica'sHeritageAlive," gives us a good chance to see how we are doing locallyin keeping our localheritage alive. Twenty-four years have gone by since Congress passed the National Historic Preservation Actwhich set up the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic Preservation Fund, and a program of grants to the states. Twelveyears have elapsed since the federal government launched investment tax credits as an in- centive to private commercialpreservation Griggs House, 505 W. Main, Urbana efforts. We have had an Illinois State list properties which merit careful judg- ment as to their future. But so do many Historic Preservation Office in operation other properties not yet on anyone's list. since 1969, and locally a very active and other preservation measures. Of the 26 effective Preservation and Conservation The evaluation of individual properties is Illinois counties with 1980 populations Association (PACA) at work since 1980. not easily done. I do not advocate keeping larger than 50,000, 21 had one or more What has been accomplished?What is yet things just because they are old. But I do historic districts listed through 1988on the to be done? advocate keeping them if they add value to . NationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.Only our community by being distinctive, four counties in that group had fewer There are many preservation successes in handsome, economic, or sometimes just listed sites than Champaign, and these Champaign County: Champaign's Art unusual. We should try to keep whatever were all smaller in population than Deco Gty Hall, the classical Burnham is good, but it takes judgment to decide Champaign. We have no less heritage fab- Athenaeum, the hwnble Lorado Taft what that means. Nothing is likely to get ric than the other counties; we have just home, Urbana's High School, the Inman saved unless it has an economic use, recognized less of it. Hotel, (crowning supported by private or public means. The gem of the campus Quadrangle), and best use for most properties is the original Preservation measures range widely from many private homes and commercial use, but adaptive use is often better than maintenance and painting to rehabilitatiC'" buildings. Almost every one of these was no use. I firmly believe that dedsion- and moving buildings. The full range seriously considered for demolition before makers (public officials and private ven- going on in our county. The decisions were reached to keep these turers alike) should not be forced to act in in downtown Champaign, by being listed elements of our heritage alive. In the ignorance. The heritage values in a prop- on the National Register, is a "certified weeks and years ahead, many other prop- erty must be weighed against other values historic structure" eligible for investment erties will become the focus for the ques- tax credits which require federal rehabili- or potential ones. We need to know what tation standards to be observed. These tion, "to keep or not to keep." they are, and to realize that they may not be measurable in dollars or in jobs. credits have made it financially feasible to Wouldn't it be great if we could have a keep this element of our heritage alive. At definitive list of what is worth keeping? So far, the best mechanism for preserva- present, there is only a handful of sites in tion decisions is a review board or land- The National Register is the start of such a our county where this incentive can be list, but it will never be complete. Our marks commission made up of informed used; other places with rommerdal historic community judgment on what to keep specialists and laypersons to advise on districts have dozens of such opportunities. changes as new things get built and as we actions. This has worked well at the fed- learn more about our past. Our values, our erallevel, in each of the states, and in 1000 Much more is needed in Champaign perceptions, our knowledge change. local historic districts. Illinois already has County. Continuing surveys are needed 119 such districts, including ones in to sort out what is worth keeping. Public Many efforts have been made to identify :.. Decatur, Peoria, Quincy, Galesburg, protection through national registration what is worth keeping, but they are Kankakee, Bloomington, and many smaller and local designation of sites and districts spotty. In the early 197Q;the state Preser- places. Champaign County has none yet, will encourage investment and stabilization vation Office blanketed Illinois with a set although there is interest in the subject in of neighborhoods. We need to apply these of three county-by-county surveys, find- both Champaign and Urbana. and the whole range of other preservation ing for example in Champaign County 123 efforts in the near future if we are to structures of architectural merit, 32histor- National Register listing brings not only succeed here in keeping our share of ical landmarks, and a host of potential the status of recognition, but also a slight America's heritage alive. archeological dig sites. From time to time, degree of protection related to federal various student and class studies have actions, and eligibility for financial and tax Lachlan F. Blair is Professor Emeritus of been done in and around the county. incentives. Only 27 propErties in ChampUgn Urban and Regional Planning at the PACA has conducted systematic building- County have been so listed. We can easily University of Illinois at Urbana-Champa; by-building surveys with state and federal see that this small number does not give an and is a past President of PACA. He 1. funding assistance in twelve blocks of adequate representation of all that should served eleven years as a member of the Downtown Champaign, the older sections be recognized within our local heritage. Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council. of northwest Urbana, and 276 buildings on The National Register is only a step in the The above editorial was published in the the University campus. These inventories process, but it is often a prerequisite to News Gazzette on June 24, 1990. -- - - -".------...... -

National Register Military Drill Hall and Men's Gymnasium, Chi Psi Fraternity, 912 S. Second, of Historic Places U of!, Urbana Champaign Champaign County, Illinois , U of I, Urbana Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Natural History Building, U of I, Urbana (now Chi Phi), 313 E. John, Champaign Itgeld Hall, University of Illinois, Urbana Stone Arch Bridge, Springfield & 2nd, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, 211 E. dumham Athenaeum, 306 West Church Champaign Daniel, Champaign Street, Champaign U.S. Post Office, Randolph and Church, Inman Hotel, 17 E. University, , 102 East University Avenue, Champaign Champaign Champaign U ofI Astronomical Observatory, 901 Mumford Farm House, U of I, Urbana Chemical Laboratory, U of I, 1305 West S. Matthews, Urbana Green Street, Urbana Vriner's Confectionery, 55 Main Street, Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, 310 E. John, Greek Revival Cottage, 303 West Champaign Champaign University, Urbana Phi Mu Sorority (now Beta Sigma Psi Cark R. Griggs House, 505 West Main Alpha XiDelta Sorority, 715W. Michigan, Fraternity), 706 W. Ohio, Urbana Street, Urbana Urbana Delta Upsilon Fraternity, 312 E. Armory, Mahomet Graded School, Main Street, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, 202 E. Daniel, Champaign Mahomet (demolished) Champaign Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity, 1110 Metal Shop, U of I, 102 South Burrill Kappa Sigma Fraternity, 212 East Daniel, S. Second, Champaign Avenue, Urbana Champaign

Orpheum Preservation Project

July will be a busy month for the Orpheum Early July should also be the time of the In addition, the Committee has prepared Theater. The Committee has chosen great unveiling of the original Orpheum blueprints of the existing structure and has ArtSoft Management as the needs assess- facade! Negotiations with the Gty are pro- received preliminary cost estimates for the ment consultant for the Orpheum Project. ceeding with the hope that the Committee theater's basic rehabilitation. The cost to Michael Hardy, former director of the will be able to "peel away" the aluminum bring the building up to code, replace the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, "skin" in the near future. Preliminary in- electrical and air-conditioning systems, will be the principal in charge of the vestigations suggest that most of the recondition the heating system, repair the -'roject. He is tentatively scheduled to be Oassical facade is intact including the win- roof, do pIaster repair and painting, etc. is .\ Champaign July 19 and 20 during which dows and half-columns. The cornice and estimated at $350,000. This figure is much time he will meet with various artistic, parapet, however, were removed when lower than previously projected and should civic, political, and development leaders. the aluminum was attached. The unveil- make the building more attractive to The Committee is also planning an open ing will be a tremendous boost for the developers. meeting so that the general public can building's "morale" and will visuallydem- share their ideas for the thea ter. Details onstrate to the general public the build- Ideas and proposals for the building's concerning Mr. Hardy's visit and the pub- ing's architecturaI importance. It will also future use are always welcome. Please call lic meeting will be sent to PACA members be a great boon to the entire downtown PACA with your thoughts or development at a later date. scene! tips.

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o NEW MEMBERSHIP

ADDRESS Street ...... $100.00 ...... $ 75.00

...... $ SO.oo City State Zip New & Renewing Members Mrs. Mildred Barnett Michael J.Lambert The Lumber Anne A. Ehrlich Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Haig Room Mr. & Mrs. Donald Miller Mr.AlanK. Laing Mike & Bonnie Specchio Mr. Jack Richmond Dr. William D. Youngerman Volunteers in Preservation Debbie Nelson & Paul Joffe Mark Replogle AliceEdwards Caroline Hibbard BobSwisher KarenKummer Nina Rubel Mark Netter RexKummer ReginaGaler-Unti Mr. & Mrs. Norris V. Lateer Hank Kaczmarski Peggy Shaw David Spears AIFrederick Mary A. Miles Denny Lewis Steve Baker Mrs. Donald V. Dobbins Steve Roemmel RonBaker Tony & Mary Graham Carolyn Baxley Steve & Kathy Roemmel Have you ever been called a Champaign County Public Service jerkinhead? If so, you probably Sally Foote & Thomas Wold R. L.Brownfield Roger &Janine Prillaman deserve it. A jerkinhead is not an MaxOvermeyerlMeadow Gold aluminum or vinyl siding salesman, William J.Donaldson TomCheckIPlasti-Pak Mrs. Helen Peterson it's an architectural term used to Lynn W. Manley describe a clipped or hipped gable, sometimes seen on dormers. As for Trent Shepard Mr. &Mrs. Joseph Marriott Salvage Donations dormers, the word originally is Mr. & Mrs. Goddard Graves University of lllinois derived from Latin and subsequent- Mr. & Mrs. Greg Hargus English Brothers Construction Company ly the French word darmire,to sleep, Virginia Guthrie Allan Eckel hence, a dormer is a window on a Mrs. J. L. Fairchild John Cheesman roof where sleeping facilities are Eliza Husband Kyle Robeson provided. If you likewords as much Dorothy Romack Sandra Braman as we do and you have Ii word or term related to architecture or the Mr. &Mrs. ArthurS. Replogle Tom Ennis Excavation Service Hiram Paley Gty of Urbana building trades you'd like to share Rose Geier-Wilson Nancy Endress with our readers, drop us a line.

PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION Box 2555, Station A, Champaign, Illinois 61825 ~-~ NON-PROFIT ORG. PACANewsletter U.S. POSTAGE Published by the Preservation and PAID Conservation Association GIAMPAIGN,IL Kennedy Hutson, President PERMIT NO. 133 Steven Roemmel, Vice-President ~ ;J Nancy DeIcomyn, Secretary-Treasurer ~1~ 328-PACA

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