The Glencoe Historical Society (GHS) is proud to announce that a plan to preserve and relocate the Wright-designed Cottage in Glencoe has been approved. Following an informational public hearing last night at the Takiff Center, the Glencoe Park District Board of Commissioners voted to approve a long-term lease allowing the cottage to be placed on a small portion of Park 7N, adjacent to the Ravine Bluffs subdivision designed by Wright over 100 years ago.
President of the Glencoe Historical Society President Ed Goodale expressed great appreciation for the coordinated efforts and support by the Glencoe Park District and the Village of Glencoe in this exceptional intra-community effort. “GHS is particularly pleased and excited about its partnership with the Park District because it allows for the preservation of the home at a location and in a manner that is a huge “win” for everyone in the Glencoe community and for historians, architects and Wright enthusiasts everywhere.” The small village of Glencoe is noted for having the third largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the world.
The current owners of the Cottage purchased the property in May and have generously agreed to donate the historic structure to the GHS in order to save it. With the relocation site approved, GHS will take ownership of the building and move it off the property. GHS President Ed Goodale credited their assistance, “GHS is extremely grateful to the owners for this extraordinary gift and for their continued support and patience as we have worked through a process to preserve the building.”
Lease Terms Disclosed
Under the approved lease, the GHS has entered a 99-year agreement to lease a small portion of Park 7N for $1 per year to become the new home for the Cottage. This triangular park, located between Maple Hill Road, Franklin Road and Meadow Road in Ravine Bluffs, is an ideal location for the Cottage because it was adjacent to the land owned by Sherman Booth, who was also one of the founding commissioners of the GPD, more than 100 years ago.
There has been international interest in the efforts to prevent the cottage at 239 Franklin Road from being destroyed. GHS Board member and noted preservation architect Scott Javore explained, “The Cottage is one of 13 Wright-designed structures located in the Village of Glencoe and is a particularly unique example of the early work of America’s greatest architect. The GHS-GPD agreement offers an outstanding way to preserve this important part of both Glencoe history and Wright’s legacy.”
The house originally stood on property north of Sylvan Road and east of the ravine. Sherman Booth owned the land as part of the 15-acre parcel he and his wife Elizabeth bought originally for a large estate. The bungalow cottage was built for the family to occupy pending completion of a spectacular estate residence which was never built. When plans changed, the family ended up occupying the cottage until their permanent home was completed in 1916 and plans were developed for the subdivision.
Once relocated and restored, the Cottage will be used as a research center and for occasional small programs. It will become a permanent tour site for 2nd grade students to visit each year on their historical tour of Glencoe. Information and objects related to Wright’s work in Glencoe will be used to create exhibits that highlight Wright’s work in the community. GHS will continue to run its regular operations at its headquarters located at 375 Park Avenue.
Costs for relocation and reconstruction will be funded entirely through GHS, an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization which has received donations and been awarded grants for this project. No public money will be used in this project. Parties interested in contributing to this project may contact GHS for information.
