February 2007

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February 20, 2007, Tuesday,Ê7:00 PM
Rock Island County Historical Society,
822 11th Avenue, Moline
A workshop on "Researching your Building's DNA" is being co-sponsored by the Rock Island and Moline Preservation Societies.

March 20, 2007,ÊTuesday, 7:00 PM
Gere/Dismer Architects,
124 Arts Alley, Rock Island
RIPS members will review and vote on the nominated projects for the 2006 Historic Preservation Awards.Ê Nominations are still being accepted.Ê

April 17, 2007,ÊTuesday, 7:00 PM
Dr. Cyrus Foster House,Ê Office of Dr. Francis Ricketts,Ê 2210 7th Avenue, Rock Island

Comments and suggestions for Society activities are always welcome, now and in the future! Remember to keep the third Tuesday of each month marked on your calendar for monthly RIPS meetings and activities.

2006 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS

Now is the time to look around your neighborhood and the city to note preservation work that was finished in 2006 or nearing completion.Ê Please bring your suggestions to the next RIPS meeting or contact Diane Oestreich at 788-1845 or oestreich@qconline.com.Ê A photo presentation of the nominees will be made at the March meeting and, following discussion of merit, voting will take place to determine certificates and awards.

To help determine whether a project you noted is eligible for a Preservation Award, RIPS has determined the following guidelines:

Eligible structures must be 50 years or older.Ê Buildings can include residential structures, churches, public buildings, and commercial properties and must be located within Rock Island city limits.Ê The first concern of an improvement project shall be the preservation/renovation/reconstruction of original architectural style, building materials, fixtures and craftsmanship. It is expected that modifications will be made as a necessary function of the renovation process which will make the dwelling more useful or livable.Ê Modifications made solely for the purpose of remodeling do not constitute genuine renovation and will not be recognized as such.Ê Likewise, alterations made to a home or building, when genuine renovation or restoration of the original work could have been done without excessive expense or labor, shall be considered ÒremodelingÓ.

Special consideration is also made for preservation activities which do not involve structures.Ê For example, recent past awards have been given for restoration of brick sidewalks, appropriate infill to historic locations, publications which celebrate historic architecture and individuals whose efforts have reflected the ideals of the RIPS.

BUTTERWORTH PRESENTATION

RIPS members are invited to attend a joint meeting of local historical and preservation societies March 8th at 6:30 PM at the Butterworth Center. Gretchen Frick-Small will talk about the ceiling in the library at the Butterworth Center.Ê The ceiling was originally from an Italian villa and has been meticulously researched and documented.

Refreshments will be served afterwards sponsored by the Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society.

DR. CYRUS FOSTER HOUSE

The home at 2210 7th Avenue was built in 1893 by Charles Swanson and wife Caroline.Ê After the turn of the century, it was purchased by Dr. Cyrus T. Foster and wife Josephine.Ê Their daughter, Madeline and husband William Bourell lived in the home until after the 1980s.Ê

Dr. Foster was a prominent physician and community leader of Rock Island.Ê Tragically, he was murdered less than a block away from his home on October 8, 1924 as he returned home after escorting his sister to her home on 23rd Street.Ê His murderers were never caught.

RIPS member Dr. Francis Ricketts recently renovated the home, which appears much as it did in the early 1900s.Ê She runs her personal and family counseling practice from the home.

RESEARCHING YOUR BUILDINGÕS DNA

A workshop on "Researching your Building's DNA" is being co-sponsored by the Rock Island and Moline Preservation Societies.Ê The public is invited to the event that will be held at the library of the Rock Island County Historical Society (RICHS), 822 11th Avenue, Moline, on Tuesday, February 20.Ê The program will start promptly at 7 pm.Ê This is an opportunity to discover the resources at this library and others as well as how to read property abstracts.

ARMORY UPDATE The Rock Island Armory can not be demolished after the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) denied the City of Rock IslandÕs request be released from the original preservation covenant which protects the landmark from demolition or drastic structural changes.ÊÊ The IHPA indicated that it is willing to work with the city and modify its strict standards of the original preservation covenants.Ê The city will be allowed to Òpursue alternative development schemes which may include preservation of the entire structure or consider a development, which would allow broader use of the building as more of an amphitheater space.ÓÊ

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE IN FEBRUARY

Watch for your annual RIPS membership renewal later this month.Ê Please plan on continuing your support of RIPS and return your membership confirmation promptly.Ê

Rock Island Preservation Society
P.O. Box 3261
Rock Island, Illinois 61204-3261