Aurora, IL — Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) announced $50,000 in grant funding awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for the Naperville Heritage Society through the Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections (SCHC) program. SCHC grants help libraries, archives, museums and other historical institutions preserve and protect their collections.
“The Naperville Heritage Society and Naper Settlement do an outstanding job bringing the history of our community to life,” said Foster. “Through this preservation program, the exhibits and artifacts will continue to inform, educate, and entertain future students and visitors from across the Eleventh District and beyond.”
Above / The Martin-Mitchell Mansion, a grand Victorian home completed in 1884, is the centerpiece of Naper Settlement, a 12-acre 19th century outdoor history museum in the heart of Naperville.
“Naperville Heritage Society is so pleased to receive this competitive NEH grant that underscores the national importance of the historic buildings and collections at Naper Settlement. Appropriate preservation is an essential element in telling our stories respectfully,” said Sally Pentecost, Chairman of the Naperville Heritage Society. “By addressing a plan to manage the environmental conditions in the museum’s buildings, we can better preserve this community’s heritage and that of the American experience for future generations to come.”
“The National Endowment for the Humanities Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections grants provide federal support to ensure museums across the United States are able to provide the proper care and attention to their culturally-rich holdings,” said Rena Tamayo-Calabrese, President & CEO, Naperville Heritage Society and Naper Settlement.
“Naper Settlement is thrilled to receive this much-needed support to assess the environmental conditions in our historic buildings, environments that are key to the long-term preservation of the artifacts they exhibit. With 3.6+ million visitors through their doors over the years, these important structures deserve our attention in how to make them more sustainable and environmentally sensitive to the material culture they house within,” said Tamayo-Calabrese.
For more information about Naper Settlement, the Naperville Heritage Society, programs and special events, visit www.napersettlement.org. Naper Nights, an outdoor concert series, returns Fri., July 24, and Sat., July 25.
