Historical Society, Pleasant Home to Get State Grants

A piece of $15 million in state capital investments will find its way to Oak Park to help renovate, restore and expand service at two historical properties in Oak Park, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The Historical Society of Oak Park will get $125,000 in state funds to renovate an old firehouse located at 129 Lake St. with a new HVAC system and additional fire protection. Eventually, the historical society hopes to open a new museum and history center at the location. Previously, the building was used by Oak Park's Public Works Department and is owned by the village.

, will also get $80,455 to restore a portion of the house that has been damaged by water.

The funds will be used to revitalize the mansion's summer dining porch, which was used by its residents in the early 1900s to dine outdoors when the weather was warm.

The porch is located on the southwest corner of the house and has been closed from tours because of structural and water damage, according to the article.

The grant will help stabilize the home by adding support columns and steel beams to distribute the weight of the home and an overhead dressing room and sleep porch that were added in 1902.

Some aesthetic work will also be done on the home, including resetting the home's original art glass windows, wood trim and doors and new screens. The porch's mosaic tile floor will also be fixed of a large crack that has formed.

To read the full story on the Chicago Tribune, click here.