August 2004

August 17, 2004 Tuesday 7:00 PM
Butterworth Center, 1105 8th Street, Moline Oak Room, lower level
The meeting will be a general meeting including a group discussion: What is Historic Preservation? What makes buildings historically important? How can we help preserve historic buildings? We will also have a guided tour of the historic Butterworth Center.
September 21st, 2004 Tuesday 7:00 PM
Community Room of the Rock Island Public Library Main Library, Downtown 401 19th Street
October 20, 2004 Tuesday 7:00 PM
Le Moulin Bed & Breakfast, 1326 16th Street, Moline
Caroline and Bill Schoessow, Proprietors
Immediately following our meeting, our hosts will provide a guided tour to MolineŐs first (and only) bed and breakfast. The home is an impressive brick, 3-storey Prairie style home. Preview the facility at www.LeMoulinBedBreakfast.com. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to Martha at 788-0823 or diz5@qconline.com.
Comments and suggestions for Society activities are always welcome, now and in the future!
RIPS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
You know how one thing leads to another? Our new education program evolved from a series of discussions and needs. Recently, discussions at membership meetings have focused on the ŇSignificant Structures ListÓ; a list of buildings which have architectural or historical significance to the city of Rock Island and which may deserve landmark status. In the course of membership discussion, it became evident that there was confusion as to the criteria for determining historical significance as well as the procedure for submitting an application for landmarking a property
Obviously, this was a unique opportunity for a new education program. Rather than structure it as a lecture program, it was decided to make it much more Ňhands onÓ and spread the project over a number of meetings. In the end, not only will our membership be more knowledgeable about the landmarking process but we will also have a completed landmark application to submit to the Rock Island Preservation Commission for review.
At the August meeting, there will be a group discussion about what preservation really means; what determines significance; defining preservation terms and issues, etc. Then, after reviewing potential properties, we will determine a likely candidate, based on the criteria outlined in the City of Rock Island Preservation Ordinance. Members will then begin the research and documentation process under the guidance of more experienced members. Teams of members will be assigned small portions of the process to advance the application. Each month, a portion of the membership meeting will be devoted to the researcherŐs reports on their progress and the next phase will be assigned to volunteers. It will serve two of RIPS goals: preservation of our significant historical treasures through the use of landmark designation AND a more knowledgeable and confident membership. Please join us!
POTENTIAL HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE PROBLEM
Recently a few representatives from Rock Island attended a national forum on preservation issues. They discovered from talking to preservationists from other parts of the country that problems are arising with homeowners insurance, including cancellation for no valid reason. Cancellation reasons given included proximity to neighboring structures, presence of asbestos siding or roofing materials, non-conforming use of land within zoned areas, and others. While we have not heard of any such abuses in Rock Island, it's an issue to be aware of in our historic neighborhoods.
RIPS GOES TO HOLLYWOOD
RIPS is working to bring the award winning documentary, ŇBlue VinylÓ to the Quad Cities. The film shows the filmmakerŐs jarring discovery of her parentŐs home in recently applied blue siding and follows her on the trail of vinyl siding from its factory origin to its toxic disposal. The movie exposes the toxic environmental effects of many kinds of vinyl, including siding, on our health and world. Watch for updates as plans move forward.
FROM THE MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Many of our members have requested that they be included in emails for meeting agendas and minutes. However recently we've had many emails returned with invalid addresses. If you've changed your email address in the last few months and haven't notified us, please do so. Send your new address to: Diane Oestreich oestreich@qconline.com.
DEERE & CO HOSTS ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBIT
Deere & Company is hosting Structures of Our Time: 31 Buildings That Changed Modern Life, a special architectural exhibit celebrating buildings that have received the American Institute of Architect's 25-Year Award. In 1993, the prestigious award was granted to the Deere & Company Administrative Center, which is now identified as the Deere & Company World Headquarters, in Moline, IL. Instituted in 1969, the 25-Year award honors structures that are 25-35 years old and widely recognized to be of special significance and broad influence, and representative of the enduring power of good design. Among other buildings receiving the award and included in the exhibit are the Rockefeller Center and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City; the John Hancock Center, Chicago, Ill.; and the Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Mo.
The exhibit coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Deere & Company World Headquarters. The building opened in 1964 and was one of the last designs by internationally recognized architect Eero Saarinen. Since its opening, the World Headquarters building has received a number of awards, including the Architectural Award of Excellence from the American Institute of Steel Construction; the Silver Medal of Honor from The Architectural League of New York, and the "Office of the Year" Silver Plaque Award from, Administrative Management magazine. Other Saarinen-designed buildings include Dulles International Airport Terminal Building, Chantilly, Va.; the Gateway Arch, St. Louis; CBS offices in New York City; and the United States Embassy, London.
The exhibit is located on the Display Floor at the Deere & Company World Headquarters, One John Deere Place, Moline, through August 29. The Display Floor is open to the public, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. There is no admission charge.
RIPS PRESERVATION AWARDS
Our May meeting was the annual presentation of Preservation Awards at the City Council meeting. Twelve awards and certificates of recognition were presented.
AWARDS:
á The Tuscan Group (Jeff Dismer of Gere/Dismer Architects and Bill Rowand of Renaissance Construction) for the Anastasia Murphy House at 2207-09 7th Avenue.
á Michelle Funke for the exterior renovation and restoration of her house at 1215 20th Street
á Broadway Historic District Association for the brick sidewalk restoration adjacent to Broadway Park, 23 St, 6-7 Avenues
á Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation for renovation and restoration at 1301 17th Street
á Rock Island Park Board for restoration of the Longview Park entrance columns at 17th St. and 13th Ave.
á St. Mary's Catholic Church for repairing their historic school at 22nd Street and 5th Avenue
á The Rock Island Preservation Commission for "Stroll these Sidewalks" Brochure
á Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau for the "Historic Quad Cities" tour Brochure
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
á Stanley Goldman for recreating the recessed entrance at 1606 2nd Avenue
á Donna Rogers for renovation and reuse of the cottage behind 603 23rd Street
á Dr. Francy Ricketts for the renovation and restoration of the house at 2208 7th Avenue
á Rock Island Growth Corporation for sympathetic new construction in the Clipper Condos and Stores, 2nd Ave & 16th Street
Although most of the awards and certificates were framed "paper" ones, an exception was made for the Broadway sidewalk project. With the generous assistance of Cassini Tile & Marble of Rock Island and Moline Monument Company, this award took the form of an engraved granite stone, which is now embedded in the restored sidewalk. Stop by the northwest corner of 7th Avenue and 23rd Street to check it out.
Rock Island Preservation Society
P.O. Box 3261
Rock Island, Illinois 61204-3261