Preservation Award

On May 14, the Elijah Iles House Foundation was named Preservationist of the Year at the 15th annual Mayor's Awards for Historic Preservation. Several hundred were present for the event, held at The Inn at 835.

Describing the Iles House as “one of the real jewels in the city,” Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin said the award honors the Foundation for its efforts over the past decade to restore the structure, which is the city's oldest residence.

The organization also won recognition for its work, with the University of Illinois at Springfield, to restore one of the oldest farmsteads in central Illinois, the 1841 Strawbridge-Shepherd House at the edge of the UIS campus.

Winners of the awards are selected by the Springfield Historic Sites Commission. Dave Barringer, Mike Dunbar and Dick Hart accepted the award on behalf of the Foundation.

Above and below are images taken at the S-S House on Sunday, May 20. Members of the House committee are discussing restoration of the four-acre prairie behind the house and renovation of the house foundation and sill, which are badly deteriorated.

Donations to support this work are welcome. Please use the phone or e-mail address above.

PS: The house needs 8 volunteer docents to lead tours this season. If interested, please call!