If a building has a plaque with a name and date on it, is it a protected building? Not always.
2012: HVAC Installed in Fabyan Villa Museum
Before 2012, the 1907 Frank Lloyd-Wright redesigned Fabyan Villa Museum did not have air conditioning. Visiting the second floor was very uncomfortable for visitors in the summer and was very hard on our artifacts. Years of hard work with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, HVAC experts, and grant writing that secured 70% of the funding brought about this monumental achievement!
In September 2012, J&R Herra, Inc. began installing a geo-exchange system to provide high-efficiency heat and air for the 1907 historic building. "[T]hese systems move or transfer heat from the earth rather than outdoor air. Since earth temperature remains relatively constant throughout the year, geo-exchange systems operate very efficiently. Additionally," we reported in our newsletter, "there is no outdoor unit, so visible modern equipment and weather-related maintenance are eliminated."
Many were surprised to learn that this drilling equipment pictured was for HVAC equipment since geothermal is still a relatively new technology. Now our visitors, volunteers, and artifacts enjoy a consistent, climate-controlled, energy-efficient environment in the Villa.
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SOURCES: "Install Climate Control System in a Historic House Museum," Advocate (Spring 2012), 3; "Fabyan Villa and Garden 2012 Season: New & Improved!" Advocate (Fall 2012), 4.
2017: Campana Building Plan for Adaptive Reuse is Defeated
2013: Driehaus Award for Preservation Advocacy for Saving Pure Oil Station
Led by Geneva residents Colin and Glorianne Campbell (pictured on either side of former PPFV executive director Liz Safanda), Preservation Partners assisted in the saving and repurposing of the Pure Oil Station in 2012. A Dreihaus Award for Preservation Advocacy was awarded for those efforts in 2013.
The Pure Oil Station at 502 W. State Street in Geneva was built by prolific Geneva builder August Wilson in 1937. By the time a demolition permit was considered in 2012, the former gas station was one of the few remaining of the Tudor-Revival style.
The developer wanted to raze the structure to build a new bank but was denied a demolition permit by the City of Geneva because it was considered a contributing building to Geneva's Historic District that could be rehabilitated. Through cooperation between the developer and preservationists, a plan was developed to turn the former Pure Oil station into a drive-through for the bank (now Geneva Bank & Trust). Creativity also included the signage which remained in the same style as the original Pure Oil sign.
Landmark Illinois remarked that the resolution proved that historic preservation is "a key revitalization strategy for business, government and community purposes." While many complained that preservation hinders development, an editorial in the Geneva Republican admitted, "This shows how gridlock can sometimes lead to better results."
Thank you for reading! If this story interested, inspired, or informed you, please consider subscribing to our monthly e-newsletter so more of these stories come right to you!
SOURCES: "Say it in Unison: This Place Really Matters!" Advocate (Fall 2013): 1; "Plan for New Bank Clashes with History, Business Owner, Geneva Republican, March 1, 2012; "Pure Oil Building Will Be Saved as Bank is Constructed," Geneva Republican, September 13, 2012; "Pure Oil Building Earns Accolades," Geneva Republican, November 7, 2013.