The monthly Landmarks Illinois News Roundup keeps you in the loop on the latest preservation news stories from the month as well as Landmarks Illinois’ main advocacy efforts, projects and announcements. You can also receive these monthly news roundups directly in your inbox by signing up for our newsletters at the bottom of the page.
August 2025 Preservation News Roundup
Preservation efforts continue at Richmond's last historic wooden bridge
Richmond’s historic wooden bridge has been standing since the mid-1800s. It is the last survivor of two bridges from Richmond’s frontier past, which connected the halves of Richmond bisected by the railway. The remaining bridge, a longstanding fixture in the community, is integral to Richmond’s identity. It, along with its twin lost in the 1980s, remains part of the town’s logo.
In 2023, Landmarks Illinois included the bridge on our Most Endangered list. A lack of maintenance and no preservatio`n plan put the bridge at risk of being demolished. However, with proper repairs, this local landmark can become a safe and attractive community asset.
Recently, Landmarks Illinois secured an updated conditions assessment of the bridge. The pro bono work was conducted by James Lewan, principal and owner of J28 LLC, with the assistance of Joshua Freedland of Bulley & Andrews Masonry Restoration. The report from this assessment will help with future preservation plans for the bridge. It will also help the Village of Richmond in applying for a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation to fund necessary repair work.
(Pictured, left to right: James Lewan of J28 LLC, Richmond Village Administrator Ciro Cetrangolo, Village Trustee Adam Metz, and Bulley & Andrews’ director of historic preservation Joshua Freedland.)
Condition assessment shows reuse possible at endangered site in Rockford
This month, at Landmarks Illinois’ request, Brush Architects completed a pro bono condition assessment at the former Elks Lodge #64 building in Rockford. Landmarks Illinois included the building on our 2022 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois due to ongoing neglect. Years later, the building remains in disrepair and poses a public safety threat. Without a viable reuse scenario, the building could be demolished.
Despite its current state, Brush Architects determined that with proper repairs, the property can be reused with proper restoration. Built in 1912, the former Elks lodge long served as a community meeting place as well as an event and retail space near downtown Rockford. It is architecturally significant to the history of Rockford and is a designated local landmark and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Landmarks Illinois continues to work with local advocates, the city and preservation and building professionals to determine a path forward that avoids demolition and continued neglect of the property. We are also working with our partners at Bulley & Andrews Masonry Restoration, who will conduct a pro bono structural analysis of the building envelope to determine available options for stabilization to address the public safety concerns. We are also working to develop a feasibility and adaptive reuse study to show the city the viability of the building.
(Pictured: Angele Denoyelle of Brush Architects during the pro bono condition assessment of Elks Lodge #64. Credit Brush Architects.)
Read more in the news:
Efforts underway to save Rockford’s historic Elk’s Lodge from demolition
WTVO, August 13
Historic preservationists may seek last shot for Rockford building
Rockford Register Star, August 11
Judge Barry House, 2025 Most Endangered Site, safe from demolition
The Judge Barry House in St. Charles, a 2025 Most Endangered site, is safe from demolition for now. On August 4, the St. Charles City Council voted against a demolition request for the historic home. Built in 1844 by active citizen and Illinois attorney Judge William D. Barry, the Greek Revival-style home sits prominently in St. Charles’ Downtown Central Historic District. The current owner, Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, had proposed tearing it down to create parking spaces. It is a positive step toward preservation of the home that presents an essential piece of St. Charles’ heritage.
“Landmarks Illinois thanks the St. Charles City Council for choosing preservation over a parking lot,” Bonnie McDonald, Landmarks Illinois CEO & President, told Crain’s Chicago Business. “The Judge Barry House is an irreplaceable historic home that poses a significant opportunity for reuse and reinvestment in a prominent part of town. Denying its demolition is a responsible and sustainable move forward for the endangered site. Now, let’s work together to develop a creative solution to the church’s parking needs without erasing history.”
(Pictured: The Judge Barry House in the foreground and the home’s owner, Baker Memorial United Methodist Church. Credit Paul Morgan)
Learn more about the Judge Barry House and what you can do to help advocate for its preservation:
Read more
Upcoming Grant Application Deadline: October 1
Opportunities for funding are available through three different Landmarks Illinois grant programs.
Preservation Heritage Fund
Provides monetary assistance to significant structures or sites in Illinois that are under threat of demolition, in imminent deterioration, in need of stabilization, in need of structural or re-use evaluation or need to be evaluated for landmark eligibility. Learn more
Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois
Provides monetary assistance for planning activities and education efforts focused on preservation. Projects may include engineering, architectural and feasibility studies; legal services; surveys and National Register of Historic Places nominations; and/or preservation ordinance support. Learn more
Landmarks Illinois Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund for Chicago’s South Side
Provides financial support to people preserving and promoting the history, culture and architecture of Chicago’s South Side. Open to both nonprofits and for-profit entities. Grants range from $500 to $10,000 each and are awarded on a 3:1 matching basis. Learn more
(Pictured: Anna’s Original City Hall Building, home to home to the Shawnee Hill Arts Council, a 2024 Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois grant recipient.)
Landmarks Illinois grant programs
Preservation work progressing at Princeton’s Red Covered Bridge
Efforts to restore one of Princeton’s most iconic landmarks are progressing. The Illinois Department of Transportation recently reported it is moving into the second phase of engineering work on Princeton’s historic Red Covered Bridge, which was severely damaged in November 2023 when a semi truck hit it. This phase includes preparing detailed construction plans and a detailed cost estimate. The process will take 12-18 months and conclude with the state opening up a bidding process for repairs.
The covered bridge is a one-lane wooden bridge spanning Bureau Creek in Bureau County. The timber truss structure was completed in 1864 and bridge was an important part of the Galena Trail carrying horse-drawn wagons and cattle between Peoria to Galena. The state later assumed control of the bridge and is responsible for its maintenance. It is one of five state-owned covered bridges in Illinois.
While the November 2023 incident is the first time Princeton’s historic bridge was struck and damaged by a vehicle, it was reportedly so severe that it ripped off the semi-trailer’s roof and created a large gash in the bridge’s roof and damaged its wooden trusses.
Following the incident, Landmarks Illinois Regional Advocacy Manager Quinn Adamowski visited Princeton to survey the damage and meet with community leaders. The bridge has also survived an attempted arson attack in 1971 and faces threats from erosion and severe weather.
Read IDOT’s latest update below. You can also view photos of the bridge here.
Read more
Resource Bank, former LI preservation award winner, launches new resource for small town revitalization
Landmarks Illinois CEO Bonnie McDonald, Regional Advocacy Manager Quinn Adamowski and Board Member Gary Anderson were in DeKalb July 19 to attend the launch event for
InspireRenewEnjoy.com. This groundbreaking online resource showcases proven strategies and inspiring success stories for small-town revitalization. The event brought together community champions from Illinois and Michigan, including village presidents, board members and local advocates who shared their firsthand experiences in grassroots community and economic development.
Inspire, Renew, Enjoy is the vision of Diana Shott, CEO of Resource Bank and a Board Member of Landmarks Illinois, as a way to share creative, community-driven approaches to revitalization. Jerry Foster, Director of Business Development at Resource Bank, conducted the research and led the development of the website, bringing this unique resource to life.
Resource Bank is one of the last remaining locally owned banks headquartered in DeKalb County. It has a long tradition with repurposing historic buildings as bank branches in Northcentral Illinois, including the former Eakin Schoolhouse in Hampshire and the former Frederick Townsend Garage, a National Register-listed building in Sycamore. This work won the bank a 2023 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Leadership.
(Pictured, left to right: Landmarks Illinois President & CEO Bonnie McDonald, Board Member Gary Anderson, CEO of Resource Bank Diana Shott, Landmarks Illinois Regional Advocacy Manager Quinn Adamowski.)
InspireRenewEnjoy.com
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DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Landmarks Illinois seeks a driven, innovative, collaborative and experienced development professional to serve as Director of Development. The person in this role will research, design, implement and assess a strategic fundraising program in partnership with other team members to support our transformational work.
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Landmarks Illinois President & CEO presents keynote in Iowa
Bonnie McDonald, Landmarks Illinois’ president and CEO, co-presented the keynote address at the Association of Midwest Museums Conference in Davenport, Iowa, which ran from July 30 to August 2. Bonnie was asked to present about Landmarks Illinois’ transformational work and the organizational courage to pursue pivotal and principled change in the midst of a challenging political and funding environment.
(Photo credit Midwest Museums Conference Facebook)
Community gathers to celebrate Uptown Theater’s 100-year anniversary
Hundreds of people gathered August 16 at Chicago’s Uptown Theater to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the iconic landmark. Built in 1925, the Uptown Theater was designed by Rapp & Rapp for the Balaban & Katz theater chain. The 4,381-seat and 46,000-square-foot theater was—and still is—one of the largest and most opulent in the country. Following decades of operating as a popular movie palace and concert venue, the theater closed in 1981 and has remained vacant since. Landmarks Illinois called attention to the prominent North Side property four times on our Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois: in 1996, 2001, 2010 and 2014.
Jam Productions purchased the building in 2008 for $3.2 million and had plans to restore and reopen the theater. Financing challenges have stalled the effort, however. The community, local groups like Friends of the Uptown and preservation partners like Landmarks Illinois and Preservation Chicago have continued to advocate for the theater’s preservation. Jam Production is also seeking funding to aid restoration.
(Photos by Richard Cahan)
Read more
In Case You Missed It: LANDMARKS ILLINOIS CELEBRATES RESTORATION OF WRIGLEY FIELD
SEE PHOTOS FROM OUR JULY EVENT
On July 28, Landmarks Illinois’ Real Estate and Building Industries Council and Skyline Council, our committee of young and emerging professionals, held a special joint event at Wrigley Field, marking five years since the completion of its decade-long restoration. The cocktail networking event attracted professionals in real estate, architecture, preservation and development for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Chicago Landmark.
(Photo credit David T. Kindler)
Event photos
Upcoming events
LANDMARKS ILLINOIS TRANSFORMATIONAL PLAN WEBINAR
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
12-1 P.M.
Join Landmarks Illinois Vice Chairman Ron Clewer and President and CEO Bonnie McDonald for a free virtual presentation about our new five-year Transformational Plan that will shape our work and impact at this organizational inflection point.
(Pictured: Skyline Council’s 2024 Valentine’s Day event at the Englewood Schlitz Tied House)
learn more & register
SAVE THE DATE! 2025 LANDMARKS ILLINOIS RICHARD H. DRIEHAUS FOUNDATION PRESERVATION AWARDS
NOVEMBER 7, 2025
6 P.M.
Mark your calendars for this year’s awards ceremony! Join us at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Dr., to celebrate our 2025 award recipients. Winners and more event details will be announced soon!
(Pictured Jerri Schaefer (center) of Havisham Bourbon, Brew & Spirits in Alto Pass with her award at the 2024 awards ceremony. Credit David T. Kindler)
Additional Landmarks Illinois news...
- Landmarks Illinois President & CEO Bonnie McDonald was a panelist at an event titled, “How is Migration Woven Into America.” Held at the Zhou B Art Center in Bridgeport on August 15, the event was the second in a four-part series called, “What Can Become of Us?”, a collaboration between the Stanford University Institute for Advancing Just Societies and Zócalo Public Square. The panel discussed how migrant communities help stitch together our ideas of American life. “At a time when conversations about America can be difficult and polarizing, the event was both inspiring and refreshing,” said Bonnie. “It was a privilege to be in intelligent company willing to say the things that are on our minds — or that others may fear owning up to. America’s beauty and its blemishes were all on the table.” Watch a recording of the program here. Zocolo also published a Q&A article with Bonnie. Read it here.
- Landmarks Illinois Regional Advocacy Manager Quinn Adamowski gave a presentation at the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs’ Midwest Community Development Institute conference, which took place from August 11-14 in Springfield. Adamowski’s presentation was titled, “Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings: Developing an Ecosystem.” The conference provides participants with a core body of knowledge and skills in community development and economic development.
- The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting applications for its Preserving Black Churches program, an initiative through its African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. Grants range from $50,000 – $500,000. Applications are due September 12, 2025! Learn if your preservation project is eligible for funding through the national grant program here. The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and Partners for Sacred Places are also hosting a two-day Preserving Black Churches training session that will empower churches to create and embrace identities that reflect the function of their congregations and their relationships with their local community. At the end of the training, attendees will come away with ideas for taking their church’s history and public engagement goals and using them to develop new partnerships. The event will be held September 25 & 26 at the First Church of Deliverance, 4315 S. Wabash Ave. Register here.
- HistoriCorps and the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois are seeking volunteers of all skill levels to help rehabilitate the Duck Bay Shelter. Three, week-long volunteer opportunities run from September 14 to October 3. HistoriCorps is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to engaging volunteer workforces to preserve historic places and provide free mentorship in the preservation trades. Shawnee National Forest was dedicated in 1933 and the Duck Bay Shelter was constructed in the late 1930s. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Download the full August 2025 Preservation News Roundup
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