Historic Commission

Minutes of the City of Wheaton Historic Commission January 16, 2018 Meeting Held at City Hall, Wheaton, Illinois Attendance Present: Nancy Flannery (Chair), Tom Kay, Steph McGrath (Secretary), Bob Purdy, Barbara Dutton (Vice Chair), Emelie Engling Absent: Maureen Fogerty, Frank Principe The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm Public comment: none Approval of Minutes Minutes of the December 19, 2017 meeting were approved as corrected following a motion by Bob, seconded by Tom, and passed unanimously. Old Business Preservation Month 2018 -The Commission discussed names, criteria and inaugural year recipients for a new preservation award. It was agreed that Wheaton Preservationist is the favored name for this new award. -It was discussed re: whether to add a talk on home history research as part of the Home History Research Help events. Nancy will contact Donna at the Library for possible speakers. -Nancy informed the Commission that we are going to participate in another history bike tour featuring WW1 sites in conjunction with the Bicycle Advisory Committee/Environmental Commission -The Commission discussed other possible talks for Preservation Month. Miscellaneous -The 1939 aerial photos of Wheaton are now on the Wheaton Public Library website. It was agreed that the Commission needs to do more publicity for aerial and map research sources for home history research including the 1882 bird’s eye view and 1906 captive airship photo which currently are on the Library’s research page. -Nancy informed the Commission that she and Steph had a meeting with John Duguay, Assistant City Manager, regarding the installation of the interpretive sign at Wheaton depot. Due to the fact that the City leases and does not own the train station building/grounds, the Commission is now following up with the Union Pacific Railroad representative to obtain permission to install the historic site marker. -Nancy updated the Commission that she is still trying to get in touch with the DuPage County Historical Society without success but that she now has an email address for one of the Board members and will pursue it. -It was agreed to post the completed time capsule research on the City website but with the caveat that this research is still in progress and should not be considered exhaustive. The list of Wheaton time capsules will not be considered completed until Wheaton’s newspapers are digitized and more research is done. New Business -The Commission reviewed the landmark application for 321 W Franklin. It was agreed that this application was very thoroughly researched. The Commission will vote on accepting this application at the next regular meeting. -The Commission discussed potential local sites for Landmarks IL Endangered List -Nancy passed around a new application for the open position on the Historic Commission. Commissioner Comments -Steph called attention to the real estate ads in landmark applications from the DuPage County Historical Museum archives. She sees these real estate listings as a potential resource for home history research and suggested that the Historic Commission pay for the indexing or digitizing of these ads. -Nancy informed the Commission that the Winfield library will be hosting a talk on Sears houses. -Emelie reviewed the recent Culinary Historians event at the Jesse Wheaton home & his probate details Adjournment Bob moved to adjourn, Tom seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting concluded at 8:20 pm. The next meeting will be held on February 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm, City Hall.