Evelyn (Eve) Johnson was "an ever-persistent voice for preserving the heritage of Illinois for future generations," according to the St. Charles Republican.
Johnson co-founded several historic preservation organizations:
Restorations of Kane County (now known as Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley) in 1974 to restore and open as a museum the 1843 Durant-Peterson House in St. Charles's LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve.
Campton Historic Agricultural Lands, Inc. in 1977, a conservancy dedicated to the preservation of Illinois farmland, historic landscapes, natural areas, and open space.
Garfield Heritage Society in 1977 which restored Garfield Farm into a living history farm, her proudest accomplishment.
Eve also helped save and restore dozens of other historic structures including the 1850 Beith House in St. Charles.
If it had not been for Mrs. Johnson, "the Durant-Peterson House might today be a decaying eyesore, a parking lot would have replaced the William Beith house, and Garfield farm [would be a subdivision]," reported a profile of her in the St. Charles Chronicle. An article in Preservation Partners's newsletter noted that "Eve combined her soft voice and gentle manner with iron determination to persuade all she encountered of the value of her causes."
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SOURCES: "Garfield Farm Museum Founder, Eve S. Johnson, 76, Dies," The Republican, April 8, 1999; Ledlie Raines, "Preserving the Past is Johnson's Passion," St. Chalres Chronicle, September 30, 1987; "In Memoriam: Evelyn Johnson 1922-1999," Advocate (Spring 1999): 3; Jim Robinson, "Garfield House Donated for Museum," St. Charles Chronicle, October 12, 1977.