Elgin to Present Mayor's Awards for Preservation

The Elgin Heritage Commission will honor outstanding contributors to Elgin's heritage at the Mayor’s Awards for Preservation ceremony held on Tuesday, April 29 at the Hemmens Cultural Center, located at 45 Symphony Way beginning at 6 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend or watch the live stream of the ceremony on the City of Elgin YouTube channel.

The awards are given annually on the recommendation of the Elgin Heritage Commission to recognize those who have preserved and promoted Elgin’s heritage. Nominated by their peers, seven recipients were selected for their dedicated efforts to preserve the city's historic architecture, neighborhoods and cultural resources.

 The Mayor’s Awards for Preservation will be presented to the following recipients:

•    Chloe Burkhart: For her above and beyond sympathetic restoration of her home at 320 North St.

•    Community Crisis Center: For their impressive exterior rehabilitation of the 1891 historic Franklin School.

•    Debra Vruble and the Elgin National Watch Neighbors Association: For their tireless and devoted efforts in reforming the neighborhood group and advocating the benefits of preservation and sense of place.

•    Efrain Zepeda: For his impactful rehabilitation of 519-521 Douglas Ave.

•    Elgin History Museum – Echoes of Elgin: For their development of the history podcast Echoes of Elgin, which brings to life historian Mike Alft’s columns, hosted by Elgin Museum Educator Rebecca Miller. 

•    Elgin Public Museum – Exhibit: The Encounter: For the museum’s effort in renovating and enhancing The Encounter exhibit within the 1907 Elgin Public Museum into a powerful new teaching tool focusing on LaSalle’s exploration and the impact of Native American-European trade on Indigenous Peoples, waterways, and species.

•    Tricia Grosser: For her continued volunteerism, fundraising and enthusiasm for educating and promoting Elgin’s history as a docent and board member of the Elgin History Museum.

Nine heritage building plaques will also be presented to Elgin homeowners who have researched the history and architecture of their historic homes this year. Since the program’s establishment in 1986, more than 500 plaques have been presented. This year’s recipients are:

•    First Congregational Church; 256 E. Chicago St.

•    Elgin History Museum; 302 W. Chicago St.

•    Angela and Kellen Smith; 43 Hamilton Ave.

•    Mary Beckman; 514 Hubbard Ave.

•    Mike and Kelli Howell; 527 Laurel St.

•    Heidi and Shannon Carpenter; 1000 Logan Ave.

•    Abby and Jack Trimble; 820 Mill St.

•    Linda and Jim Hoffmann; 636 N. Spring St.

•    Christine Hardwick; 229 Vincent Pl.

For more information, please contact Historic Preservation Planner Christen Sundquist at 847-931-6004.

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About the Heritage Commission:

The Elgin Heritage Commission is a citizen advisory commission that promotes Elgin’s historic preservation activity through the protection, maintenance and preservation of the city’s architectural, historic and cultural resources. The Elgin Heritage Commission is composed of nine voting members appointed by the Mayor and Elgin City Council.