Next meeting

For our December meeting we will join the Moline Preservation Society for their annual Holiday Dinner & Program on Monday, December 12.  A buffet dinner at 6:30 pm will be followed at 7:30 by a program by Barb Sandberg, “A Trip to St. Augustine, Florida.”  The event will be held at Butterworth Center, 1105 – 8th Street, Moline, and the cost is $12 per person
Prepaid reservations must be made by Wednesday, December 7, to Chris Van Lancker (764-2221), 310 – 15th Street, Moline, IL 61265.

Old Lincoln School in danger of demolition.

• QC Times Article
• Learn more about the history of Lincoln School
• City of Rock Island announcement of redevelopment opportunity (pdf)
• RI Council Defers Action on Old Lincoln School
• Online petition to stabilize old Lincoln school instead of demolishing it

The Greenest Building Documentary Screening a Great Success

The Establishment Theater (the renovated former Capri Theater) was the perfect setting for the showing of "The Greenest Building" on Tuesday, November 15, 2011.  The hour-long documentary prepared for PBS by Jane Turville and released in January 2011 makes the argument that the building that already exists in our community, the building that contributes to our communities' character and sense of place, this older building is in fact The Greenest Building!

A group of nearly 100 people including preservationists, environmentalists, architects, planners and city officials were in attendance.  A lively discussion followed the screening.

Special thanks to all who contributed to the success of the evening:

• The Establishment Theater and their staff who went out of their way to make this a successful event.  The theater was the perfect venue and the staff cannot be praised (and recommended) more highly.

• Clayton Peterson who made the arrangements with the Establishment Theater, sent personalized invitations to Rock Island elected officials and City Manager Thomas Thomas, and arranged for the popcorn and snacks available at show time

• Diane Oestreich for a wide ranging publicity effort reaching out to print media, radio, schools, colleges and a broad variety of organizations and neighborhood groups

• Martha and Jeff Dismer for the design and printing of promotional posters

• Nancy Wolbers who served as our liaison with Rock Island High School and encouraged the attendance her students and members of the Environmental Club

• Linda Anderson who provided the video, completed the arrangements with the producer, Jane Turville, and led the post viewing discussion

• Mayor Dennis Pauley for his attendance and interest

• All our friends and members who emailed, facebooked, and emailed again!

Our Mission

We are a city-wide organization in Rock Island, Illinois, that advocates for preservation of our built environment through public education, research of historic buildings and sites and registration of significant historical places with local, state and federal authorities.

Our Activities and Projects

We raise public awareness of historic buildings and neighborhoods by activities such as:

• Preservation Awards & Criteria
• Postcards from Home column in the Rock Island Argus
• Neighborhood walking tours
• Production of tour guides and booklets
• Quarterly newsletter
• Informal assistance to people interested in researching the history of their home or building
• Survey of recent architecture project (in process)
• Rock Island Architects project (in process)
• Villa Entrance Arch Reconstruction project (above)

Current Projects:

Villa Entrance Arch Reconstruction

Look under Calendar for the latest Meeting Minutes

Become a Member

We meet at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at various locations. As a member you will receive a quarterly newsletter, email agendas before meetings and minutes afterwards at your request. We do NOT distribute your email address to others. While your active participation is welcomed, inactive (dues only) memberships that help support our work are also welcome. For more information contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Membership Application:

Fill it out, print it and mail it along with a $10 check to: Rock Island Preservation Society
PO Box 3261
Rock Island, IL 61204-3261