Story posted Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Saving Central Schoolhouse
Historical Society Continues Restoration; Plans Book On Randhurst
By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor
Mt. Prospect Historical Society Executive Director Greg Peerbolte believes approximately $100,000 is needed to fully renovate the historic 1896 Central Schoolhouse, and open it to the public.
"We are in the homestretch with this project and I envision having it done within the next year, or two tops," said Peerbolte.
According to Peerbolte, the Society is waiting on architectural sketches for the next phase of work, which will include interior restoration, addition of updated plumbing, electric work, new HVAC, and fire suppression systems.
"We recently discovered the original floors were still in the building, which we were very pleased but it needs to be restored," said Peerbolte.
Once restoration is complete, the one-room schoolhouse will open for tours.
"We have some board members working on curriculum for school groups in the future," said Peerbolte. "We will possibly open it up to community groups as well and weddings and other events. It's not only a school, but a community gathering place."
Peerbolte said staff and board members are currently bouncing around ideas to hold fundraisers to help raise money needed to finish renovating the school.
In 2009, concrete was poured, landscaping was finished, gardens were restored and added, the new roof was constructed, asbestos removed, interior salvage/demolition was completed, and exterior restoration of the eastern façade was completed.
A new fundraiser the Society is planning for 2011 includes the group Northwest Territory Alliance re-enacting history of individuals settling in the area years ago.
"We have our Housewalk during Christmas time, and we were trying to find ways to do something in the summer, too," said Peerbolte. "We are shooting for this to begin in summer 2011 and ideally be an annual event."
Peerbolte said this program would be a partnership between the Society, library, park district and possibly village hall, at a maximum cost of $50,000 per year. The average cost for admission to numerous reenactments all summer long would range from $5-$10 per person.
A preview of this event will occur in March at the Mt. Prospect Public Library.
Also, the Society is currently in negotiations with various publishing houses to produce a work on the history of Randhurst Shopping Center.
According to Peerbolte, ideally, the book will be completed around the end of 2010 and will coincide with the opening of Randhurst's new lifestyle center, which will open in spring 2011.
Tentatively, the book will contain about 35,000 words, 70 images and feature a variety of sources about the history of the shopping center.
"This is something people not just in Mt. Prospect will be interested in," said Peerbolte.
The Society will hold its second annual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 28 at village hall for members and invited guests only. The evening will feature an update on Central School and a financial year in review. Entertainment will be provided by Peerbolte, who will give a presentation on "5 Things You Didn't Know About Mt. Prospect," including buried treasure, a John Dillinger-era bank robbery attempt, and a hidden work of prominent Chicago sculptor.
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