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In This Issue
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Canal Corridor Association is a membership organization that preserves history, protects nature and open space, and creates destinations where people can learn and have fun in the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, from Lake Michigan in Chicago to the Illinois River in LaSalle/Peru. It enhances, raises awareness of and expands the parks, trails, landscape and historic sites that make the I&M Canal region a special place. CCA manages the Gaylord Building, a National Trust Historic Site, in Lockport, Illinois. One of the oldest industrial buildings in the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, the Gaylord Building is a model of adaptive reuse, featuring the Public Landing restaurant, canal exhibits and more. |
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CCA President's Note Dear CCA Friends: There are so many great things happening in the Corridor, thanks to the countless dedicated people and organizations working hard to make the Corridor a fantastic place to live and visit. One of them, the LaSalle County Historical Society, was in the spotlight recently, with its Centennial History Fair, held in April. It was a beautiful day to enjoy the artisan blacksmithing and pottery making, strolling Canallers, canal music by River Fox and more. Then there are the Hegeler Carus Mansion and Starved Rock State Park, both of which have received special recognition (see below). On a sad note, I am sorry to tell you that a member of our CCA family has suffered a grievous loss. Pat Chinderle, our administrative assistant, lost her husband, Steve, when he passed away unexpectedly last month. Pat is an invaluable, dedicated and endearing member of our team, and the one often at the other end of the phone when you call our office. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
Ana B. Koval President & CEO Canal Fact Robert Cavelier de LaSalle, a French soldier and adventurer, sought to colonize parts of Illinois. He and Henri de Tonti established Fort St. Louis at Starved Rock in 1682.
Congratulations to Hegeler Carus Mansion and Starved Rock State Park!
Hegeler Carus Mansion - Named a National Historic Landmark
The National Historic Landmark designation is the highest such recognition accorded by the nation to historic properties determined to be of exceptional value in representing or illustrating an important theme, event, or person in the history of the nation. These landmarks can be actual sites where significant historical events occurred, places where prominent Americans lived or worked as well as sites that represent the ideas that shaped the nation. Designation and national recognition encourages owners to protect and preserve their properties. The properties are recommended by the National Park System Advisory Board and designated by the Secretary of the Interior. Today, fewer than 2,500 historic places bear this national distinction. The Hegeler Carus Mansion, LaSalle, Illinois, is a rare surviving example of the residential work of noted Chicago architect, W.W. Boyington, who was among the most important early architects of Chicago. Boyington designed the 7-level, 57-room Second Empire residence for Edward Hegeler, who made a fortune in the zinc smelting business. The house was constructed between 1874 and 1876. Boyington arrived in Chicago in 1853 and enjoyed a prolific career that spanned 20 years before and after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. He designed many hotels, railroad stations, churches, and the first University of Chicago main building, now demolished. One of his best known commissions is the Chicago Water Tower, which survives and is one of the city’s major tourist attractions. The mansion’s ground floor, directly beneath the first floor, was a utilitarian floor that housed the working offices of Open Court Publishing Company, one of the nation’s earliest academic presses and one of the first U.S. publishers to produce English translations of Asian and European religious and philosophical texts.
The
Hegeler Carus Mansion, 1307 Seventh Street, La Salle,
Illinois is open for tours Wednesday through Sunday at
noon, 1, 2, and 3 pm.
Congratulations to Sharon Wagenknecht, Executive Director and the entire Board of Directors and staff for this major accomplishment!
Starved Rock State Park - Named One of Illinois' Seven Wonders
Congratulations to Starved Rock State Park staff and the efforts of Kathy Casstevens and Starved Rock Lodge for the State Park's selection as one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois.
"1848 Opening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal"- From the Chicago Journal, Monday, April 17, 1848
THE MEETING OF THE WATERS.-Yesterday was an eventful period in the history of our city, of the State, and of the West.-It was the wedding of the Father of Rivers to our inland seas-a union of the Mississippi with, Lake Michigan; for the fruits of which union CHICAGO stands sponsor-COMMERCE is its first born-Agriculture and general prosperity its increase. The first boat born on the Illinois Canal passes safely through from Lockport to our city yesterday. At an early hour yesterday afternoon the whole city was in motion. Carriages, wagons and pedestrians were all on the move to Bridgeport, to welcome the first boat from below, while the propeller “Rossesetter,” with the Mayor and the committee of reception, accompanied by a large number of citizens, proceeded by the way of the river.
By three o’clock it seemed as if the whole city had been emptied down at “Lock No. 1.” The splendid machinery for pumping water into the canal was in operation, and was examined with great satisfaction by all present, working as it did, with such clocklike regularity. About half past four the “GENL. FRY” hove in sight upon the ribbon like sheet of water which stretching far away to the south-west, and a volunteer escort dashed off, carriages, ladies on horseback, and horsemen, to meet her as she came on, crowded to her utmost, with ladies and gentlemen from the interior.
At a little after five she reached the lock, where “three times three” were given for the boat and delegation, and the bands striking up enlivening airs, she passed easily into the river, the FIRST BOAT THROUGH. At this point the committee, through the Mayor of the city, MR. WOODWORTH, extended to them a cordial welcome, and spoke of the triumph that was at last achieved, of the successful accomplishment of the great design, and of the final completion of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, in a very happy and felicitous manner.
GAYLORD BUILDING HISTORIC SITE EVENTS French History at the Gaylord Building: Dinner & A Lecture Series on Thursday May 10th
From the journeys of Pierre Marquette and Louis Jolliet in 1673 until 1840, the French had a profound impact on the development of Illinois. Prof. B. Pierre Lebeau of North Central College will detail the influence of the French in the Prairie State. His program “The French Presence in Illinois 1673 to 1840” will be presented at the Gaylord Building Historic Site on Thursday, May 10, 2007 in the evening.
The program is part of the Dinner & A Lecture education series, which is held monthly at the Gaylord Building, 200 W. 8th Street, Lockport, Illinois. The event is catered by the Public Landing Restaurant. Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with a cash-bar reception followed by dinner at 6:45 pm, and the lecture at 7:45 pm. May guests choose from a menu of Lake Superior Whitefish En Papillotte (poached whitefish in garlic vegetable sauce) with wild rice mix; or Chicken Marsala (lightly flavored, sauteed, free range boneless, skinless chicken breast in a marsala wine sauce) over wild rice mix. Dessert is Cheese Cake with Strawberry Sauce.
The program fee, which includes dinner, is $26 for members of the Canal Corridor Association (CCA) and $32 for non-members. Reservations are required. Please call 815.588.1100 for additional information.
Modeler Wanted
CCA has a partially built scale model of the pumping station located in Bridgeport at the eastern terminus of the the Illinois & Michigan Canal, circa 1848. The wooden model was begun in the late 1990s after extensive research by the late John Raymond. CCA is seeking the volunteer services of an experienced modeler to complete the scale miniature. Interested modelers should contact CCA offices at 815.588.1100. Volunteers Historic Site Volunteers Needed
The Gaylord Building Historic Site seeks adults for the following volunteer positions –
Administrative Assistants fulfill clerical tasks, such as filing and correspondences, and aid with publicity for programs, exhibitions, activities and other services.
Collections Assistants provide management of artifacts on display and in storage.
Docents/Guides offer guided interpretive tours to groups both in the Gaylord Building and along the canal, as well as possibly serving as a “step-on-guide” for charter buses touring the area.
Exhibition Assistants help development, installation, evaluation and removal of displays and exhibits.
Gardeners aid the Building Superintendent by maintaining the landscape around the Gaylord Building, including planting and weeding of flowerbeds and pruning of shrubs.
Maintenance Assistants aid the Building Superintendent with minor building repairs, as well as small projects, such as painting, carpentry, plumbing, and cleaning.
Program Assistants help with the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs and special events, such as registering participants.
Program Presenters develop and instruct/supervise classes and special events.
Researchers seek information for exhibitions, programs and other activities.
Visitor Services Assistants provide historical and tourism information to visitors, and manage retail sales.
Volunteer hours are very flexible, depending on the availability of the individual. Interested adults should contact Mark Harmon at 815.588.1100 or at mharmon@canalcor.org. |
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Upcoming Events
Here is a sampling of events happening in the corridor. For a more complete listing of events, click here to visit the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitor Bureau's website. Don't see your event listed here? Please send it to enews@canalcor.org.
May 1
May 3
May 3 – 6
May 4 May 4
May 5
May 5
May 5
May 5
May 5
May
5 May 5 & 6 Backyard Bird Feeding Goose Lake Prairie State Park Visitor Center 5010 Jugtown Rd., Morris Conservation Worker Art Rohr will open up the world of Backyard Bird Feeding for spring and summer to you. Learn what kind of bird food you should be serving to attract the birds you want. For questions call 815-942-2899 May 5 & 6
May 5 & 6
May 5 & 6
May 5, 12, 19,
26, 28; 9;00-1;00 PM & 11:00-3:00 PM May 6
May 6 May 6 May 6 May 6
May 7
May 8
May 8 May 10
May 10
May 12
May 12
May 12 May 13
May 13
May 13 May 13
May 18 May 19 May 19
May 19 May 19 May 19 &20
May 20 May 20 May 20
May 20
May 20 May 22
May 22 May 26
May 26
May 26- 28 May 27
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April
4, 2007 - Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne Designates Hegeler
Carus Manison one of the twelve new National Historic Landmarks.
On
April 30, 2007,