1904 Heinz Cut Glass Factory in St. Charles in 2023 and after restored into apartments in 2024. Revenue from memberships funded staff time to educate about the building and help a new buyer review tax credits. Photos by Kelsey Shipton.
Almost everyone is a member of something. We become members of groups to make new friends, learn more about a special area of interest, attend exclusive events, or have access to exclusive content. We become members to be actively involved in or to passively support something that matches our values.
Does Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley Match Your Values?
Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley is focused on saving and sharing local history in two ways:
Museums: We operate historic sites of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County including the 1843 Durant-Peterson House, 1872 Sholes School, Frank Lloyd Wright re-designed 1907 Fabyan Villa Museum, and 1910 Fabyan Japanese Garden. We also own the 1850 Beith House in St. Charles where we host meetings and have our offices.
Historic Preservation: We educate the public about historic preservation and work collaboratively with stakeholders toward common-sense solutions that maximize a community’s sense of place while still providing for its modern needs. As a respected non-profit organization, we amplify your voice at city hall on historic preservation issues in your backyard.
Learn more at https://www.ppfv.org/faq.
What does it mean to be a member of Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley?
Friends: Being a member, first and foremost, is fun! As a member, you join a group of people like you who are passionate about local history and its preservation. Everyone you meet at our events has a unique connection to the history of the Tri-Cities.
Learn: Education, whether through our museums or historic preservation efforts, is our primary function. Not only do we have many excellent programs at our museums, but we also offer “Traveling Talks” about local history, host discussions about local historic preservation efforts, and create engaging experiences connected to Fox Valley history. Plus, you can always contact our knowledge staff about any history or historic preservation question you have. If we don’t know, we can usually connect you with someone who will!
Exclusive Content: A “Fox Flash” alert is emailed exclusively to members whenever a significant historic preservation issue may occur, such as a demolition. Our members are often among THE FIRST TO KNOW about these issues, and often before the public is aware. When it comes to knowing current events affecting local history, our members are among the most informed!
Benefits: A variety of giving levels provide exclusive member benefits such as a FREE Frank Lloyd Wright Reciprocal Membership ($150+/year), behind-the-scenes experiences ($500+/year), or private tour for up to 15 guests at one of our museums ($1,000+/year).
What do members do for Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley?
Members can be financial supporters, volunteers, or both!
Financial Support: Regular funding from memberships provides us with a reliable source of revenue to act on our mission: to offer heritage education and promote the appreciation and preservation of the Fox Valley’s rich architectural and historic resources. Membership does not require serving on a committee, attending events or meetings, or volunteering. Financial support from memberships helps make sure Fox Valley’s history will be shared in perpetuity.
Volunteering: If you can be actively involved, we will put you to work! We have opportunities to be docents at our historic sites, do projects at our sites, do office tasks, research historic preservation issues, and more. AND, if you volunteer at least 15 hours in a year, you will receive a FREE Patron Membership, a $150 value, for FREE! Included in a Patron Membership is a FREE Frank Lloyd Wright Trust reciprocal membership which includes discounts at many Frank Lloyd Wright sites open to the public. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities at ppfv.org/volunteer.
Whether you support us passively with a financial contribution, actively as a volunteer, or both, your membership gives us the tools to turn an intention to preserve and share local history into action.
Below are a handful of things we do—and what they cost—to put into perspective the value of each membership level:
$50: Staff attendance at one historic preservation commission meeting,
$75: One open day at the Fabyan Japanese Garden,
$150: Research to determine whether a building is worth saving,
$250: One event day at the Durant-Peterson House Museum,
$500: Three open days (one week) at the Fabyan Villa Museum,
$1,000: Staff time to submit one grant application—and last year we were awarded over $80,000!
$3,000+: Create monthly e-newsletter content FOR A YEAR.
Maya Angelou once wrote, “If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going.” History roots us, informs us, strengthens our communities, and shapes our future. This is why, for 50 years, we have striven to provide heritage education and promote the appreciation and preservation of the Fox Valley’s rich architectural and historical resources.
Visit ppfv.org/membership to become a member today!
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