Story posted Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Historical Society Moving To Youth Campus
Park Ridge Historical Society trustees, Lauren Maloney, Mary Ann Tanquary and Paul Adlaf watch as The Youth Campus CEO, Dr. Jim Guidi, and PRHS President, Jeff Caudill, sign a lease agreement in Wohlers Parlor at The Youth Campus. Below is the Solomon Cottage, located at 733 North Prospect Ave.
The Youth Campus (TYC) and the Park Ridge Historical Society (PRHS) have entered into a lease agreement that provides a new Historical Society home in the historic Solomon Cottage at 733 North Prospect Ave.
The building faces the street and sits south of the entrance driveway to The Youth Campus' 11-acre property. The agreement marks a significant partnership of not-for-profits and commits the space as headquarters for the Park Ridge Historical Society.
"As we look to the next 100 years in Park Ridge, our compelling mission to serve needy children from this diamond in the rough facility deserves good neighbors. Park Ridge Historical Society promotes the tremendous philanthropic heritage of the city and respects our place in it. We hope to support this partnership with a strong and vibrant future," said TYC Chief Executive Dr. James J. Guidi.
"I know I speak for all of the members of the Park Ridge Historical Society when I say we are incredibly excited about this collaboration with The Youth Campus. This is a wonderful opportunity to herald the rich history of Park Ridge and preserve a Park Ridge landmark building," said PRHS President, Jeff Caudill.
Guidi and Caudill signed the agreement on Apr. 21. Unused by The Youth Campus for many years, the Solomon Cottage's size, location and historic nature offer a space for creating the new, permanent home for the Park Ridge Historical Society, which plans to undertake a capital campaign to renovate the building.
"The Society is grateful to The Youth Campus for inviting the Society to make a new home at this historic location in our community. The Society will enter its 39th year of preserving and honoring the history of Park Ridge in a building listed in the National Register of Historic Places, with the unique opportunity to shape this new home as a model for the collection, display and dissemination of local history," said Paul Adlaf, PRHS trustee.
Over 100 years ago, Julius Rosenwald, of Sears Roebuck fame, funded construction of the cottage, stipulating that it be named for Hannah Greenebaum Solomon, the visionary leader of what was long known as the Park Ridge School for Girls. It was the first of several buildings begun on the site in 1908 to create the environment recommended by fellow board member, Jane Addams, of small cottages with housemothers to care for needy girls. The eminent architectural firm, Holabird & Roche, designed most of the original buildings. Park Ridge resident Ed McCabe led the way in 1999 to achieve designation of this building in the National Register of Historic Places.
Renovation will be guided by community members and Park Ridge Historical Society advisors, David D. Hiller and Shlomo Crandus. A Park Ridge native and graduate of Maine East High School, Hiller is the new president and chief executive of Chicago-based McCormick Foundation. Crandus is currently president of the Park Ridge Library Board of Trustees and vice president of Finance for Wheels, Inc. PRHS architect is Walker Johnson, formerly of Holabird & Root.
"As somebody born and raised in Park Ridge, it is exciting and highly meaningful to me to be part of creating this new destination for bringing the history of our city alive for the new generations of our families and kids," said Hiller.
The Youth Campus continues its mission to offer hope for successful lives to abused and neglected children. TYC awakens lost hope for 34 teen girls in Park Ridge, nurtures new and lasting relationships for 130 boys and girls in Chicago area foster care families and offers support and relief to 30 Caregivers of Cook County's medically-challenged children. The Youth Campus serves children who deserve a new start, a new home and people who believe in them.
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