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Now that the Downers Grove Park District officially owns the historic 1846 Blodgett House, it might be a while before the structure can be used to its fullest potential. Meanwhile, it still stands in testament to the fight against slavery that ripped apart the nation almost 150 years ago.
The Downers Grove Heritage Preservation Corp. terminated its lease agreement for the 1846 Blodgett House and transferred ownership to the park district at the park board meeting Jan. 19.
DGHPC also donated $5,000 to the park district to offset the restoration of the historic home, which was a safehouse for slaves traveling the Underground Railroad network to freedom in free states and Canada.
Still, there is much work ahead, park district administrator Dan Cermak said.
“I think we’re satisfied with everything they did and we’re appreciative of the DGHPC,” he said. “We’re ready for the challenges that lie ahead to get the interior renovated and some of the structural repairs that need to be done. I think the real story is this is the preservation of one of the oldest homes in the village.”
Cermak said the district anticipated at some point the home would be turned over so the transfer came as no surprise.
“The DGHPC has done a lot of fundraising in the past to renovate the house on our property,” Cermak said.
Estimated cost for structural work on the house is estimated at between $15,000 and $20,000, Cermak said.
DGHPC secretary/treasurer Gordon Good-man said $200,000 has been raised and spent in restoring the exterior of the structure.
“We had some very nice grants from the Sarah Lee Foundation and One Smooth Stone Foundation,” Goodman said, as well as through the generosity of many other donors. “We had very good support from the late Grant Dieke. He was a strong supporter for this effort and we were very grateful for his support.”
Turning the Blodgett House into a museum of its own could cost up to $100,000. The house was relocated onto the museum campus at 831 Maple Ave. in 2008 following an agreement reached between the DGHPC and the Downers Grove Park District.
Built by Israel and Avis Blodgett in 1846, the house is the second or third oldest house in the village, according to the park district’s museum website.
The DGHPC was founded to save and restore the house and create a museum focusing on the Underground Railroad.
Now that the Downers Grove Park District officially owns the historic 1846 Blodgett House, it might be a while before the structure can be used to its fullest potential. Meanwhile, it still stands in testament to the fight against slavery that ripped apart the nation almost 150 years ago.
The Downers Grove Heritage Preservation Corp. terminated its lease agreement for the 1846 Blodgett House and transferred ownership to the park district at the park board meeting Jan. 19.
DGHPC also donated $5,000 to the park district to offset the restoration of the historic home, which was a safehouse for slaves traveling the Underground Railroad network to freedom in free states and Canada.
Still, there is much work ahead, park district administrator Dan Cermak said.
“I think we’re satisfied with everything they did and we’re appreciative of the DGHPC,” he said. “We’re ready for the challenges that lie ahead to get the interior renovated and some of the structural repairs that need to be done. I think the real story is this is the preservation of one of the oldest homes in the village.”
Cermak said the district anticipated at some point the home would be turned over so the transfer came as no surprise.
“The DGHPC has done a lot of fundraising in the past to renovate the house on our property,” Cermak said.
Estimated cost for structural work on the house is estimated at between $15,000 and $20,000, Cermak said.
DGHPC secretary/treasurer Gordon Good-man said $200,000 has been raised and spent in restoring the exterior of the structure.
“We had some very nice grants from the Sarah Lee Foundation and One Smooth Stone Foundation,” Goodman said, as well as through the generosity of many other donors. “We had very good support from the late Grant Dieke. He was a strong supporter for this effort and we were very grateful for his support.”
Turning the Blodgett House into a museum of its own could cost up to $100,000. The house was relocated onto the museum campus at 831 Maple Ave. in 2008 following an agreement reached between the DGHPC and the Downers Grove Park District.
Built by Israel and Avis Blodgett in 1846, the house is the second or third oldest house in the village, according to the park district’s museum website.
The DGHPC was founded to save and restore the house and create a museum focusing on the Underground Railroad.
