Help safeguard our architectural history!

Join us!  Membership benefits include:                 

• Newsletter, The Preservation Advocate

• Old House Support Group

• Members-only programs and special events

• Invitations to special events, including Japanese Garden concerts,

Summer Frolic, Apple Fest, Japanese Garden Winter Walks, Durant Museum Candlelight Event, Treasures of the Tri-Cities, and our annual Star Dinner    

For more than three decades, members of Preservation Partners have been vital supporters of our fundamental mission: ensuring that our vintage buildings, our heirloom neighborhoods, and our streetscapes with splendid architectural diversity are recognized for their economic and historic significance. Furthermore, these members have provided essential support for our museum and site operations, enabling us to reach over 100,000 school children at our historic museum sites, providing a very tangible, unforgettable connection to their roots.

Join us in preserving the past! 

*Download a membership form

*Note- Membership contributions above $35 are tax-deductible*

*Please send membership forms to P.O. Box 903, St. Charles, IL 60174

*Time to renew your commitment to history? click here

The Board of Preservation Partners attends meetings of local historic preservation commissions to follow current issues and to determine which merit additional attention, member involvement, publicity, or follow-up workshops. The Preservation Advocate newsletter is used to highlight these issues and spread awareness throughout the community.

The Pure Oil Station in Geneva saved from demolition

The Geneva City Council voted in April to deny the request for
demolition of this landmark structure, urging the ownerto revise his development plans to incorporate thestation. In May the owner returned to the city with a new proposal, that would retrofit the existing bays to accommodate a three-vehicle drive-up facility. This was approved both by the Historic Preservation Commission and
the City Council, and in August by the Geneva Plan Commission, which offered kudos to owner Joe Stantonfor his “flexibility and creativity” in the new design .
The primary kudos in this case belong to the very vigilant Preservation Commission, and to local citizens whose passionate
advocacy of protection for this beloved landmark brought together people from every sector of the community. 

Concern and quick action help save " Colonel"

the Fabyan Japanese Garden koi

In November of 2012, Forest Preserve horticulturalist Janice Slowiack noticed the water in the Fabyan Japanese Garden pond dropping dramatically. The cause was unknown and she worried about the Koi fish affectionately called the "Colonel". She immediately alerted PPFV staff about the situation and a call was placed to the Koi Whisperer Sanctuary, who we had connected with this past spring. The next day, Mary Ellen Malinowski was able to "rescue" the Colonel and transport him to her Koi Sanctuary in St. Charles,  where she houses, heals and advocates for proper care and keeping of koi. The Colonel is enjoying a winter retreat, and will be returned to his home in the Fabyan Japanese Garden in April! 

---

Fabyan Villa Museum is awarded

Museum Assessment Program (MAP) Grant

The Fabyan Villa Museum on January 2, 2013 was awarded a MAP grant from the American Alliance for Museums , a national museum organization based in Washington DC. The grant will be used to examine and build upon community engagement to improve visitor services and develop collaborations with other groups. Participation will also allow staff to connect with other museums throughout the country.

The MAP grant is a program that helps small and medium sized museums, through self study and peer review, plan for their future and work to meet national standards. The MAP grant is supported through a cooperative agreement between the Institute of Museum and Library Services and AAM. The MAP grants are non-competitive and provide $4,000 of consultative resources and service to participating museums.

 

       

_____________________________________________________

A gift from Norway to Chicago for the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, the Viking ship replica sailed across the Atlantic and through the St. Lawrence Seaway to arrive in Chicago.  The ship, in dire need of preservation after a century of exposure and neglect, was relocated to Good Templar Park in 1992.  Nominated by local citizens, the ship was named to both the Fox Valley and Landmarks Illinois list of endangered historic structures in 2008.  An entry in the Amex Chicagoland Partners in Preservation grant challenge, spearheaded by Preservation Partners, won $52,000 for stabilizing the century old replica Viking ship.  Friends of the Viking Ship was formed shortly after the grant was awarded, and now works toward promoting awareness and seeking a permanent 'home' for the ship.

  Viking Ship update 11/2012:

Trusteeship of this Columbian Exposition artifact has been transferred to the St. Charles – based Friends of the Viking Ship, enabling that group to aggressively pursue preservation and permanent housing initiatives!

The Viking Ship at the 1893 Columbian Exposition

The National Trust's Chris Morris and PPFV's Executive Director Liz Safanda examining the Viking Ship

Preservation Partners© 2013