Above / The former home of May Theilgaard Watts (1893-1975), an American naturalist and teacher who worked at the Morton Arboretum, stands in the Naperville Historic District on Jefferson Avenue. For more about the spirited woman who is honored and remembered with her name on May Watts Elementary School and May Watts Park, click here. (PN File Photo)
Naperville’s Historic Preservation Commission invites the public to join them at 7PM on Thurs., Jan. 26, 2017, to learn about Naperville’s historic district. Attendees of the Historic Preservation Commission Meeting will learn how the historic district works under the City’s design guidelines, the correct steps to take for those who want to make changes to their historic homes and about the district’s general architectural and historic nature.
This meeting is open and free to the public, and will take place in the Lower Level Meeting Room B at the Municipal Center 400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville, IL.
Historic District includes 350 structures
The historic district encompasses over 350 structures with a variety of architectural styles, including Greek Revival and Italianate. Naper Settlement’s Vice President of Advancement & Campus Development, Debbie Grinnell, thinks this meeting will be a perfect opportunity for community members and historic home owners to learn more about Naperville’s history.
“Naperville is fortunate to have such a wide range of architectural styles and history that is being cared for by those who own homes and buildings within the historic district,” said Grinnell. “We are excited to share some of that as well as encourage residents to use the many resources available to them, including those at Naper Settlement.”
Naper Settlement’s Chief Curator, Louise Howard; Curator of Research, Bryan Ogg; and Grinnell will give special presentations on the background of Naperville’s historic district. The museum staff will also talk about the local plaquing program (Note the plaque on the right side of front door to May Watts’ home.), architectural walking tours and other resources available to property and home owners.
All properties located within the district, which was established by the City Council in 1987, are protected by the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. This ordinance requires owners of locally designated properties to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the City of Naperville prior to making most exterior alterations to a historic structure. This meeting will allow historic home owners to ask City Planners any questions that may have pertaining to the COA processes.
Naper Settlement
Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor museum set on 12 magnificent acres in the heart of Naperville, where history comes to play and community comes to connect. For more information, visit www.napersettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010.
Submitted by Emma Vodick for Naper Settlement.
