Creating a Legacy

As we look back over the achievements of the last fifty years and, with excitement, envision what this village will look like at the centennial anniversary, we are keenly aware that we owe a special debt of gratitude to those citizens under whose stewardship this village has thrived. Without our public servants and dedicated volunteers, so much of our heritage would have been lost. We hope that this year-long celebration will provide us all with an opportunity to say thank you, and to consider how we might play a role in preserving our heritage for future generations.

The Oak Brook Historic Preservation Fund has been established under the leadership of the Oak Brook Historical Society to raise funds throughout this year and subsequent years that will be used for grants to support capital restoration projects at the historic landmarks of Oak Brook.

Please support this initiative to preserve our heritage and provide our community with superb educational and cultural resources within the context of these unique historic environments. Will you help us restore our past for the benefit of future generations? Yes! This is important to my community and I can do my part to help.

Mission statement:
To preserve our heritage and history for current and future generations by
restoring the historic landmarks of Oak Brook that serve as a public resource.

Goal:
To raise funds throughout the commemorative and subsequent years, that
will be used for grants to support capital restoration projects at the historic landmarks of Oak Brook.

History:
The Oak Brook Historic Preservation Fund was established as a division of the Oak Brook Historical Society to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the
Village of Oak Brook by raising public awareness of historic preservation and by unifying the community through this collaborative fundraising initiative.

Administration:
The Oak Brook Historic Preservation Fund is held at Hinsbrook Bank and is
administered by Wolf & Company with the law firm of Cappetta & Associates
serving as counsel. Funds raised during 2008 will benefit the restoration of the Old Butler School, owned by the Village of Oak Brook, and Mayslake Hall at Mayslake Peabody Estate, owned by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Levels of Participation & Donor Recogntion

Benefactor: Donations of $25,000 and above
Acknowledgement of generous support will be given as follows:

• Listed on the 50th Anniversary Committee and Historic Preservation Fund Web Site.
• Acknowledgement within all promotional material related to the Oak Brook Historic
  Preservation Fund from 2008 - 2013.
• Special recognition in traveling exhibit featured at each 50th Anniversary event and promotional
  programs throughout 2008.
• VIP guest at finale celebration and presentation of Benefactor plaque.
• Acknowledgement in all press releases and promotional print materials including newspaper
  and magazine articles, flyers etc. distributed by the Oak Brook Historic Preservation Fund.
• Recognition of donation in the annual reports of the Oak Brook Historical Society and the Forest
  Preserve District of DuPage County.
• Recognition by 2008 through 2013 grant recipients.

Community Partner: Donations of $10,000 - $24,999
Acknowledgement of generous support will be given as follows:

• Listed on the 50th Anniversary Committee and Historic Preservation Fund Web Site.
• Acknowledgement within all promotional material related to the Oak Brook Historic
  Preservation Fund during 2008 - 2012.
• Special recognition in traveling exhibit featured at each 50th Anniversary event and promotional
  programs throughout 2008.
• VIP guest at finale celebration and presentation of Community Partner plaque.
• Acknowledgement in all press releases and promotional print materials including newspaper
  and magazine articles, flyers etc. distributed by the Oak Brook Historic Preservation Fund.
• Recognition of donation in the annual report of the Oak Brook Historical Society and the Forest
  Preserve District of DuPage County.
• Recognition by 2008 through 2012 grant recipients.

Patron: Donations of $5,000 - $9,999
Acknowledgement of generous support will be given as follows:

Friend: Donations of up to $4,999
Acknowledgement of generous support will be given as follows:

Fundraisers

Businesses and organizations who wish to participate in this fundraising intiative by establishing an Oak Brook Celebrates ~ Its Heritage and its Preservation program and who give a percentage of revenue, either relating to one event or raised during a specific time period, will be acknowledged at
the appropriate level above.

2008 Restoration Project:  Mayslake Hall
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: 1994

Mission Statement:
Mayslake Peabody Estate is dedicated to creating a legacy of stewardship by engaging our communities in lifelong educational and cultural enrichment that will support the preservation of our shared heritage. 

History:

This Tudor Revival style mansion was built in 1919 for coal baron, F. S. Peabody by renowned Chicago architect Benjamin Marshall. Since 1924, it served as a spiritual retreat for the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor and is in need of restoration after this adaptive use and decades of disrepair.  Saved from demolition by a coalition of citizens led by the Oak Brook Historical Society acting as fiscal agent, Mayslake was purchased after a public referendum in 1992 by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.  It now serves as a community resource, engaging the public in lifelong learning and the ethical stewardship of our heritage.

Restoration Goals:

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is committed to the restoration of Mayslake Hall and has conducted both interior and exterior surveys to identify priorities and specify techniques and materials in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior: Standards for Rehabilitation.  The cost of this restoration is estimated at $6.1 m.  In order to meet their mission and in an effort to defray some of these costs, an essential element of the educational programming has been built around the restoration of Mayslake Hall.  This magnificent example of Tudor Revival style architecture now serves the community and the field of historic preservation as a venue for restoration methods classes, workshops and lectures.

Community Programs:

Mayslake Hall is open to the public and Restoration in Progress tours highlight the history, architecture and restoration of the estate, and includes opportunities to talk to craftsmen during restoration projects.  Public programming focuses upon engagement in the enjoyment and understanding of our natural and cultural resources and consists of historic preservation programs, youth programs, lecture series, workshops, corporate team building and workdays, classes, music and theater. They also serve as a community resource for partnership programs that support their mission.  Some of their program partners include First Folio Theatre, The School of the Art Institute, Chicago Wilderness, Hinsdale Center for the Arts, Oak Brook Historical Society, Music Together of Elmhurst and Oak Brook, and the College of DuPage.

2008 Restoration Project:  The Old Butler School
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places:  2003

Mission Statement:
To restore the Old Butler School which will serve the community as the Oak Brook History Museum, operated by the Oak Brook Historical Society. 

History:

The Oak Brook Historical Society was established in 1975 to serve as a community advocate for the historic preservation of our village and to be a resource for research and preservation of our history.  The stories of the early settlement of the area, founding of the Village of Oak Brook in 1958 by Paul Butler, and the subsequent development of the Village into the unique world class community it is today, would be told at the Museum.

Restoration Goals:

The firm of Johnson.Lasky Architects, who specialize in historic preservation projects, was retained to provide assessment, evaluation, preliminary plans and construction cost estimates for the conversion of the Old Butler School which will serve as the Oak Brook History Museum.  This museum will be dedicated to preserving the history of the school and Village for current and future generations. The total estimated cost is approximately $700,000 for both the first and second floors, including exterior restoration of the vintage windows. 

Community Programs:

OAK BROOK HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND

To make donations to the Oak Brook Historic Preservation Fund, please click on the below link and print out the donation form.

Oak Brook Historic Preservation Fund Donation Form