Landmarks Illinois has awarded nearly $35,000 in grant funding to historic preservation projects in Illinois, including $6,000 to repair the roof of the Amasa White House in Geneva — a structure on Landmarks’ 2018 list of “Most Endangered Historic Places.”

(CREDIT: Landmarks Illinois)

The Amasa White house, built circa 1841, is “the most substantial example of early settlement housing in Kane County,” according to the Landmarks Illinois summary.

Today, the house is owned by Kane County. Though the property sits vacant, the county has taken care to keep the house closed and secure.

In 2007, the county published The Fabyan Utilization Study that identified the area of the Amasa White House as a possible historic settlement that would be a location for county historic buildings and educational programming. However, after the economy faltered, no pursuit of this recommendation was undertaken.

Mark D. VanKerkhoff, director of Kane County’s Development & Community Services Department, said the grant funds are expected to be used for a more permanent repair to the roof. The existing conditions will be inspected and a plan for repairs undertaken in the next several months.

“It is great to see how focusing attention on historic structures can reinvigorate existing partnerships and commitments to preserve them,” VanKerkhoff said. “The grant from Landmarks Illinois is a good example of offering financial support in addition to advocacy.”

To date, there is no approved reuse for the property. Landmarks Illinois says the primary threat to the house is water penetration through the roof.

Nine matching grants have been awarded in the latest round of funding through Landmarks Illinois’ three grant programs: the Preservation Heritage Fund, Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund and the WWI Monument Preservation Grant Program.

The Mill Race Inn site in Geneva is also on Landmark Illinois’ 2018 list of Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois.

Preservation Heritage Fund Grant Recipients

Landmarks Illinois grants provide monetary assistance to nonprofit and government organizations to help preserve and protect significant and historic structures and sites throughout Illinois.

In all, Landmarks Illinois has awarded $18,500 to four historic preservation projects in Illinois. Grant recipients and individual matching grant amounts are below. More details on each project can be found here.

• Center for Women’s History and Leadership, Evanston: $5,000 to assist with addressing life safety issues at the WCTU Administration Building
• City of Moline: $5,000 to paint the Prospect Park Grand Pavilion
• Kane County: $6,000 for roof repairs at the Amasa White House in Geneva
• St. John’s United Church of Christ, Maeystown: $2,500 to paint the church’s schoolhouse

Landmarks Illinois has also awarded $2,500 to one project through this recent round of funding. More detail on this project can be found here.

• Friends of Historic Second Church, Chicago: $2,500 to assist hiring a consultant to help with creating a strategic plan for Second Presbyterian Church

WWI Monument Preservation Grant Recipients

Four WWI monument restoration projects have been awarded grants, totaling $13,875 in funding. Grant recipients and individual matching grant amounts are below. More details on these projects can be found here.

• Woodlawn Cemetery, Edwardsville: $1,875 for restoration of the Private Guy Week’s memorial
• Village of Greenview: $5,000 to assist with restoration of the WWI Memorial Arch
• Village of Riverside: $5,000 to install foundations under the Gold Star Memorial at Guthrie Park
• City of Waterloo: $2,000 for bronze markers at burial locations of WWI veterans in Waterloo City Cemetery

More About Landmarks Illinois’ Grant Programs

The Landmarks Illinois Preservation Heritage Fund Grant Program was created in 2004 and targets projects focusing on engineering, architectural and feasibility studies, stabilization, legal services, survey and National Register nominations as well as preservation ordinance support. Applications for Preservation Heritage Fund grants are accepted four times a year in February, May, August and November.

The Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois was created in 2013 to provide monetary assistance to planning activities and education efforts focused on preservation. Applications for Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund grants are accepted twice a year in May and November.

The Landmarks Illinois WWI Monument Preservation Grant Program, launched in 2017, provides funding to WWI outdoor monuments and memorials in Illinois in need of restoration to recover their dedication-era quality and appearance. This limited-time grant program is made possible with generous support from the Pritzker Military Foundation. The last chance to apply for funding through this program is August 15, 2018.

Learn more about our grant programs and eligible projects by clicking on “Financial Resources” under the “Resources” tab on www.Landmarks.org. You can also learn about the impact of our grants in communities across Illinois by reading the report, “No Small Change: The Grant Programs of Landmarks Illinois.”

About Landmarks Illinois

Landmarks Illinois is a membership-based nonprofit organization serving the people of Illinois. As the state’s leading voice for historic preservation, we inspire and empower people to save places for people by providing free guidance, practical and financial resources and access to strategic partnerships. Visit www.Landmarks.org to learn more.

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