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Two Statewide
Initiatives
Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance is joining two statewide initiatives. OAKtober – Oak Awareness Month in Illinois – creates an opportunity to educate Illinois residents about oak trees and the benefits all trees provide for our overall quality of life. PDHA Chair Ken Lerner wrote to Governor Pritzker July 15 requesting his help in designating October every year as Oak Awareness Month in Illinois. To read Ken's letter please click here. The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission is a vital component of the system that protects our natural heritage, including  the Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove,
which is the first
Illinois Nature Preserve dedicated in DuPage County. As explained in a recent Chicago Sun-Times editorial, "since former Gov. Rod Blagojevich took office in 2003, the commission has steadily lost funding and its ability to protect land from invasive species and other threats. The position of director has been vacant for nearly four years. The assistant director position has been vacant even longer. ... Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Legislature should give the commission the resources it needs to fulfill its intended mission." Please click here to read the complete editorial. * * * * *
Historic Preservation ActivitiesThe Village's historic preservation program was revised in 2015, contributing to an increased interest in landmarking homes and other structures. Since then twenty-three historic features have been granted local landmark status in Downers Grove – nine structures in 2016, another nine in 2017, four more in 2018 and three historic features in 2019.  The
Village Council unanimously approved landmark status on July 9,
2019
for the Robert J. Darnley House, 4721 Highland Avenue, at
the request of Ted and Andrea Anderson. Please click here to learn about this Craftsman
Cottage home that was built circa 1904. The Village Council unanimously approved  landmark status on April 16,
2019
for the Village owned Main Street Cemetery, 5158 Main Street, following
a request by the Downers Grove Historical Society. Please click here to learn about this source of civic
pride and identity that was established in 1856.  The
Village Council unanimously approved landmark status on February 5,
2019
for the H. M. Patton House, 5 Jacqueline Drive, at
the request of Judith M. Erickson. Please click here to learn about this English Country
Revival home that was built circa 1927. Please click here to read about the presentation to Friends Of The Edwards House of the 2017 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Advocacy. Please click here for a complete listing of the 27 historic features that have been granted local landmark status in Downers Grove. * * * * *
Landscaping
for Wildlife
PDHA sponsored a
free
public presentation entitled Landscaping for
Wildlife on March 26,
2019. Ken Lerner, PDHA Chair, welcomed everyone and gave a brief
description of our organization and its activities before he introduced
our speaker. You can click here to see Ken's slides.
Ryan Maywin, Downers Grove Park  District Naturalist at Lyman Woods, talked
about
how plants, particularly trees and shrubs support wildlife. He
suggested
various plantings for your yard to support a vibrant wildlife
community. You can click here to read Ryan's
handouts. Ryan also described the
natural history of DuPage County and the ways our local environment has
changed over the last 175 years. Please
click here to
see slides from Ryan's talk. Around
forty five attendees enjoyed Ryan’s presentation with their
dinner at Ballydoyle pub in downtown Downers Grove. PDHA has made a donation to support the learning garden at Lyman Woods in appreciation of Ryan’s presentation. * * * * *
Betty Cheever & Wally Brown Honored
Many organizations and individuals joined forces to honor Betty M. Cheever and Wallace H. (Wally) Brown with tribute benches in Lyman Woods Preserve. A celebration of Betty Cheever's and Wally Brown's community leadership took place on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Lyman Woods Interpretative Center. Please click here to learn more about this event and the tribute benches honoring Wally Brown and Betty Cheever. * * * * *
Heritage Alliance MissionPierce
Downer's
Heritage Alliance is dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural
heritage of Downers Grove. In the past, we have maintained sharp focus
on the natural heritage within our community. Pierce Downer's Heritage
Alliance has been instrumental in the preservation and protection of
Lyman Woods, and Belmont Prairie, which continue as on-going projects.
We
are now also committed to the preservation of cultural aspects of
Downers Grove, including its rich architectural heritage. We work to
accomplish our mission through education as well as community outreach.
* * * * * Heritage Quiz
(Click the image for the answer.)  Last updated 7/18/2019 |
 
Village
Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 Meeting Agenda 7:00 PM, Council Chamber Village Hall 801 Burlington Avenue Downers Grove, IL 60515 * *
* * *
PDHA Meeting Thursday, August 15, 2019 7:00 PM, Room 307 Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 * * * * * Click here to read our 2019 Spring Newsletter * * * * * Click here to read our 2018 Winter Newsletter * * * * * Please consider a charitable donation to support educational activities of Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance. * * * * * Click here to see Ashley Wurth's slides about Urban Coyotes from our 2016 Annual Meeting. * * * * * Click here to see Michael Lambert's slides on Historic Preservation in Geneva, IL from our 2015 Annual Meeting. * * * * * Click here to learn about beekeeping in Lyman Woods. * * * * * 1846
Blodgett House
An opportunity exists to restore the 1846 Blodgett House, one of the Village's oldest houses reflecting our rich cultural heritage. PDHA supports such efforts to preserve valuable historic resources for future generations. Click here to learn about the 1846 Blodgett House project. * * * * *
Click here to learn more about other local historic preservation activities in Downers Grove. * * * * * Downers Grove Township's Monthly Electronic Recycling Is Continuing in 2019 AVA
E-Recycling is continuing again this year its electronics recycling
program in cooperation with Downers Grove Township Highway Department.
Audio or video cassettes, as well as CD’s, are no longer accepted and all TV’s need to have a prepaid coupon from AVA. Please click here to learn more about the rules for recycling TV's. The next event is scheduled Saturday, July 20, from 8 AM to 12 PM at the Highway Garage, 318 Quincy Street, Westmont IL 60559. Other events will follow on the third Saturday of each month at the same time and location, unless that date falls on a holiday weekend. As always the events close promptly at noon and electronics can only be dropped off on event dates. Drop offs outside of designated hours are not allowed. For further information, please call Downers Grove Township Highway Department at (630) 719-6625. |