May 2006

---

>

Monday, May 15, 2006, 6:45 PM

Preservation Awards night at the Rock Island City Council The 2005 Preservation Awards will be presented at the City Council meeting. We are generally early on the agenda and then will adjourn to TheoÕs Java Club at 213 17th Street, Rock Island. All members and recipients of the awards are welcome to join us there for Ôon-your-ownÓ refreshments. TheoÕs menu includes sandwiches, soups, pastries and desserts as well as coffee, tea and other beverages.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006, 6:30 _PM
Longview Park

RIPS members will meet at the gazebo in the Conservatory garden. After a brief meeting, we will take a walking tour of the park. See additional information below.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006, 7:00 PM
Hauberg Civic Center Dining Room

This will be a general business meeting.
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.
EPLORING LONG VIEWÕS CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES
The Friends of Long View will be conducting a series of walking tours of Longview Park this summer to evaluate the existence and condition of historic elements of the park. Our meeting on June 20th will be one of the sessions. Historic photos, postcards and land surveys and maps will be used to compare the existing park with its original design and changes through the years. Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to walk both on and off the walkways.

BROADWAY HISTORIC DISTRICT TOUR OF HOMES EXPANDS TO TWO DAYS
Every year, thousands of visitors have made an annual trek through Broadway Historic District on a beautiful May Sunday, but this spring visitors will be able to tour the gorgeous historic homes on either date - Saturday or Sunday, May 20th & 21st. Tour Homes will be open from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on both dates and cover a range of architectural styles from Great American Foursquare to Brick Italianate and Neo-Classical.

Tickets will be $10 in advance and can be purchased at local HyVee stores. Tickets will be $12 at the door but a $2 day-of-tour discount coupon can be downloaded from www.broadwaydistrict.org.

Volunteers are still being sought for two hour shifts in the homes. If you would like to help, contact Sue Carothers at 786-5768. Volunteers will receive free admission to the tour homes.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
The mailing label on this newsletter includes your membership expiration. If you are a current member, the expiration date should be Feb 2007. If we have made a mistake, please let us know by calling Diane at 788-1845 or email oestreich@qconline.com. If you would like to renew your membership, send $10.00 per renewal to Rock Island Preservation Society, P.O. Box 3261, Rock Island, Illinois 61204-3261. RENOVATORS NEED TO BE ALERT
As the days get longer and warmer, what is more natural than to start that home project weÕve been putting off all winter? But, homeowners, please be careful. According to Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois (LPCI), fires in historic buildings often occur during and immediately after rehab work. Anywhere heat is used -- soldering torches, paint removing heat plates, and even temporary heating equipment and wiring Ð can result in rapid fires. Incredibly, LPCI says that nearly 50 percent of fires in Òcultural resourcesÓ are caused by heat plates and torches. The National Trust for Historic Preservation recommends that ÒhotÓ operations be done at a safe distance away from a building; but if it must be done inside, a Òfire watchmanÓ with an extinguisher must be present during and for two hours after the work. Your contractor might think itÕs unnecessary, but thereÕs nothing preventing YOU from being the fire watchman.
Be extra careful in your own work and watchful of those who work for you. ItÕs your house, and you must ensure itÕs protected. LetÕs keep our historic (and not-so-historic, too) homes safe from fire. To paraphrase Smokey, ÒOnly you can prevent renovation fires.Ó

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