History Museum Announces Expansion Plans
During Annual Meeting
A proposed plan to enlarge the museum building in Utica was made public at the annual meeting and dinner of the LaSalle County Historical Society last weekend.
The needs identified in a study conducted three years ago included space for educational programs and exhibits, an expanded library facility for research, and restrooms on the ground floor.
“One of the goals in our 2007 centennial year is to launch a capital fund campaign for the museum addition, which for right now will be called the education wing,” according to Society Treasurer Luceille Werner.
The wing will be located immediately adjacent to the existing museum building, originally a warehouse and granary built by James Clark in 1848. The Society in August celebrated the fortieth anniversary of the renovation of the building into the current museum.
The 4,800 square foot addition will be located between the existing building and the parking lot, with windows opening on the I&M Canal.
“Our growth has exceeded the limits of this wonderful old building, which has a history of its own,” according to Society President Mary G. Small.
“Our library and main research room now functions as a meeting room, conference center, lunch room, and sometimes workshop,” she added.
One preliminary plan for the proposed addition includes a 1,760 square foot meeting, lecture, and display area. A library and board meeting room, reception area, and gift shop will be located between the existing building and the large new lecture hall.
In other business the Society elected officers for 2007. They are: Mary G. Small, Waltham, president; Edmund B. Thornton, Ottawa, first vice president; Dolores Passwater, Ottawa, second vice president; Daphne Keenan, Mendota, secretary; and Luceille Werner, Streator, treasurer.
Five other directors were elected to three-year terms. They are William Gish, Mendota; David Reed, Streator; Louceille Wise, Ottawa; Ed Brozak, Streator; and Julia Messina, Utica.
More than 80 members, friends, and guests watched the award-winning playlet “The Radium Girls: Society of the Living Dead,” presented by the Mendota History Club. Cast members were Madeline Piller, Isaac Piller, Abby Morris, Stevie Croisant, and Haley Sack. After the play Sue Sack, the group’s facilitator, conducted a question and answer session with audience members.
Shirley Pierson, manager of the Mendota Historical Society, presented an historical overview of the 1894 Freight House, a building critical to the railroad development of Mendota, and now the restaurant in which the annual meeting and dinner was conducted.
Certificates of appreciation were awarded to Sandi Giacomi, Bruce Etheridge, and Malcolm Whipple for their dedication and commitment, and volunteer time given over the many years of service to the Society. Retiring board member Alice Fredericks was recognized and thanked for her years of service on the board.
George and Nancy Maze were acknowledged in a new of recognition, “Donations in Kind,” for their generous support of the Society and the museum through their donations of archival materials and monetary donations in support of the curator’s salary.
The museum, located at Mill and Canal Sts., Utica, is open starting Dec. 1, from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and by appointment. Call 667-4861 for further information.
