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After several years of debate—and its inclusion on Landmarks Illinois’ 2007
Ten Most Endangered Historic Places list—the Rock Island-Milan School
District has agreed to retain and renovate this 1934 Tudor-style elementary
school. When the district announced in 2004 it would be closing several
neighborhood schools, there was huge public protest. In addition to not
recognizing the architectural importance of Longfellow to its surrounding
neighborhood, the school district had not considered the impact of closing a
school in a central location to which students can walk everyday.
The Keystone Neighborhood Association organized a Friends of Longfellow
School committee which sponsored a letter writing campaign, resident surveys
and workshops for residents and public officials to discuss the importance
of retaining neighborhood schools. Due to their grass roots efforts, the
Keystone Neighborhood Association and the Friends of Longfellow School and
hundreds of residents were able to persuade the school board to retain the
building and construct a new addition for 150 extra students. The board also
has agreed to consider “neighborhood-based locations” as part of future
school planning.
Every year, Illinois loses several architecturally significant schools
statewide, which are replaced due to consolidation, deferred maintenance,
and misconceived planning. With several other organizations, Landmarks
Illinois is participating in a “Sustainable Schools in Illinois” study, led
by the Illinois Lieutenant Governor’s office and funded by the National Trust
for Historic Preservation and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
For
more information on this effort, please go to:
www.standingupforillinois.org/school
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