Current Project: Villa Entrance Arch Reconstruction

In the early morning hours of July 14, 2005 the Villa de Chantal at 2101 16^th Avenue was engulfed in flames. The oldest portions of the magnificent Neo-Gothic style structures were badly damaged. After the smoke cleared, the ornate white glazed terra cotta entrance to the main building stood tall amidst the devastation. Fire Damage

During the months of discussion surrounding the fate of the Villa de Chantal buildings, the grand white arch survived. Even during the demolition of the buildings all around it, the grand white arch stood tall. The solid construction and the majestic presence of the arched doorway seemed to demand that it be preserved.

Thanks to a special group of people with the Rock Island – Milan School District, the arched doorway was saved from the wrecking ball. A stone mason was brought in to carefully dismantle the architectural gem. Each piece was numbered and carefully packed away so the arch could be reconstructed at a later date. And then to further ensure the future of the arch, the Board of Education approved a request from Rock Island Preservation Society to gift the arch to the Society.

Rock Island Preservation Society gratefully accepted the gift and began the Villa Entrance Arch Reconstruction Project. The Sisters of the Visitation have agreed to the reconstruction of the entry arch on their land in Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island. The cemetery site (see photo) is along 31^st Avenue and the reconstructed arch will be visible from the street. The architectural firm of Scholtz Gowey Gere Marolf Architects has been chosen to design and oversee the reconstruction project (see drawing).

As work on the project progresses, we would like to hear from Villa alumni and project supporters who would share with us their remembrances of the school. If you would like to share your memories, learn more about the project or be added to our Villa Entrance Arch Reconstruction Project mailing list, please contact us at rips@rockislandpreservation.org. If you would like to make a tax deductible financial contribution to the project, please mail your contribution to Rock Island Preservation Society, Villa Entrance Arch Reconstruction Project, PO Box 3261, Rock Island, IL 61204-3261.

For more information on the history of the Villa de Chantal, see the Postcards From Home article that ran in the Rock Island Argus/Moline Dispatch on June 24, 2001.

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.

• Preservation Awards & Criteria
• 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)

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.

Membership Application

Fill it out, print it and mail it along with a $10 check to: