Preservation Week

Purple signs will soon begin popping up in front yards around Wheaton, noting some of the city's historic homes and sites during Wheaton Preservation Week, May 4-14, 2012. But that's not all the Historic Commission has planned to help honor Wheaton's history. The commission encourages you to participate in number of Preservation Week events it coordinated with other local organizations to coincide with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual national celebration, Preservation Month.

Look for purple “Pride in Preservation” lawn signs posted throughout the city designating Wheaton historic landmarks and locations listed on the Wheaton Register of Historic Places. Many of these sites also include a plaque or sign with additional information. You can also see some of these sites in the Wheaton's Landmark Homes slideshow on the City's website.

Interested in learning more about your old home, such as when it was built, its architectural style or who used to live there? During the month of May, the Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St., will have a home history research display to help you find research methods and materials, such as the recently released 1940 U.S. Census. The commission and the library also compiled a “Historic Landmark Research File” and the “Guide to Wheaton Sources” to direct you to appropriate resources. Consult old city directories, newspapers, census returns, Sanborn maps, aerial views, cemetery records and local histories at the library.

The commission also coordinated the Walking Tour of Billy Graham’s Wheaton led by staff of the Billy Graham Center Archives during Preservation Week. The free tour will be from 9-10:30 a.m. May 5, including sites associated with evangelist Billy Graham on Wheaton College’s campus and throughout Wheaton. To attend, call 630-752-5910 or email bgcarc@wheaton.edu.

On May 12, the DuPage County Historical Museum will lead two architectural walking tours. A special architecture tour especially for kids age 6 to 12 will take place from 10-11 a.m., starting and ending at the museum, 102 E. Wesley St. The tour will include stories about the railroad, the old DuPage County Courthouse and more. Another tour for anyone age 12 and older will take place from 11 a.m.-noon, starting at the DuPage County Historical Museum. Learn about the businesses and important events that shaped Wheaton. To register for either of these events, which each charge a fee, call 630-510-4941 or email dupagemuseum@wheatonparks.org.

Another location with significance in Wheaton’s history, Cantigny Park, will offer free parking and admission to Wheaton residents May 8-10 in honor of Wheaton Preservation Week. Cantigny Park is the 500-acre estate of Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. In 2011, the Robert R. McCormick Museum, which is located within Cantigny Park, was listed on the Wheaton Register of Historic Places. The park is located at 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton.