Preserving history takes work
Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission surveys costs of upkeep
Earlier this year members of the Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission put together a comprehensive "wish" list of upkeep projects that could be completed when funds become available.
The list includes a variety of objects in the city: plaques, monuments and even some concrete foundation work needed to restore a building, according to Kathryn Hopkins, commission member."We feel like as the Historic Preservation Commission, it's our job to survey the historic sites in the city," Hopkins said. "The repairs are beyond the funds available to the commission. We want to see what may need to be repaired or kept up, when funds become available."
Many of the items, like the historic National Bank clock tower, located on Main Street, that fronts a parking lot, are noticeable to area residents.
The clock needs cleaning and work done to the limestone caps, with an estimated cost of $1,674, Hopkins said.
Reinstalling a bronze plaque on the tower would cost an additional $130.
A bronze plaque to former Illinois Gov. Edward Coles, located 1210 N. Main St., at Lincoln School, needs some attention as well, Hopkins said.
The state of Illinois erected the monument, a historical marker, in 1952.
Originally attached to the school building, the plaque was damaged, and then replaced by the commission in 1998.
The plaque sits on the property of the historic Lincoln School, purchased by Mannie Jackson, a former Edwardsville resident and businessman.
The building is located at 1210 N. Main St.
Jackson has not yet announced plans for the building.
Before announcing his candidacy for governor of the Illinois, Coles announced the freeing of his slaves and a platform for the state to become a slave-free state. He won election as the second governor of the state, in 1822, on that platform.
Another larger monument to Coles, also erected by the state of Illinois in 1928 and 1929, sits at the intersection of Lewis Road and Illinois Route 157, at Valley View Cemetery.
That monument needs mostly landscaping attention, Hopkins said.
The old Leclaire School House, built in 1895, is the site of the Children's' Museum of Edwardsville, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing creative educational opportunities for children at the facility. The museum and school house is located at 722 Holyoake Road.
The cost to repair or renovation sections of the school building is nearly $200,000, according to Hopkins.
Repairs to the structure include replacing basement windows, repairing or replacing foundation and drain tiles, as well as architectural elements on walls and facade, and painting the exterior of the building.
Replacing the basement windows alone is estimated to cost about $16,000.
Hopkins said discovering lead paint during the work could increase the cost of the project by $50,000 to $80,000.
Edwardsville Alderman Rich Walker, board member of the museum, said a state grant could assist with renovation of the historic school house.
"Hopefully we will get the grant from the state to make those repairs (to the school house)," he said.
Walker said the exterior wood of the school is also in need of waterproofing, replacement and repair.
"The school house plays an important historic role in the education of children, with the children's museum using the facility," he said.
The museum currently leases the building from the city, which owns the building.
Other projects include the 1912 Centennial Monument, located at the Madison County Courthouse, and the N.O. Nelson Memorial Fountain, also known as the turkey boy fountain, located behind the Lincoln School House.
Dedicated in 1924, the bronze and granite fountain was created by Victor S. Holm.
A new pump, with water treatment may be needed for the fountain, Hopkins said.
"The fountain also has mineral deposits on the granite tablet because of over spray," she said. "It needs to be cleaned off and should be 'winterized' every year."
The school house also has two wrought iron benches at the site, one of which is in need of refinishing and painting every five years, Hopkins said.
