Preservation Services Publications

Books and videos for sale!

The Division produces a number of publications and supports several conferences and training programs, all intended to improve the effectiveness of preservationists and preservation programs. For information on Agency publications, please visit: http://www.illinoishistory.gov/publications.htm or call 217/524-6045.

Publications

Other information is available on the National Register, Property Tax Assessment Freeze, Investment Tax Credit, and Certified Local Government programs. There are also three videotapes, produced by the agency, one of which features residential architectural styles in Illinois, another which recommends preservation approaches to historic wood windows, and the most recent which is about more general preservation treatments embodied in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Lead Paint and Historic Buildings, a training manual and training curriculum that teach safe methods for working with lead-painted surfaces in historic buildings, is also available. (Click here for information about ordering these books and videos.) In addition, the Division distributes a series of booklets that offer practical advice on a variety of proper restoration techniques.

Books and videos for sale!

Conferences and Training

The annual Statewide Preservation Conference, which we cosponsor with the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois and the Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions, provides an opportunity for preservationists from around the state to participate in three days of workshops, training sessions, affinity meetings, and tours. Our staff members assist in the conference's planning, conduct workshops, and participate in sessions on preservation issues.

The Division has hosted annual meetings of Midwest State Historic Preservation Officers and the Association for Preservation Technology, conducted workshops for local governments and recipients of Agency grants, provided training on the review and compliance process, offered training sessions on preparing National Register nominations, and organized annual archaeological conferences.

Working with the Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions, the Division sponsors training workshops for commission members and assists in the preparation and distribution of the Association's newsletter, The Commissioner. Training manuals on design guidelines and landmark designation have been published as part of the Community Preservation Series. A third manual, designed to instruct community officers on how to develop a local survey program, is scheduled for publication in the fall of 1999. The Division maintains a lending library of commission-related materials, including ordinances, forms, and educational literature.

Local Visits

In carrying out their day-to-day business, staff members have visited nearly every community in the state, gaining a wealth of knowledge and information on the state and its historic resources. Staff members draw on that broad base of information to assist the public in its efforts to preserve local resources. They present lectures and slide programs on Agency programs and services and make many appearances each year before preservation groups, historical societies, and civic organizations.

Historic Preservation Education for Young People

Recognizing that learning is most effective when it starts young, many Illinois communities have developed preservation awareness programs for young people. Aurora's preservation commission set up a program that ties in with multiculturalism. Winnetka developed a coloring book of Winnetka's historic landmarks, and the Preservation and Conservation Association of Champaign County has a building renovation fair each May for young people. Federal Historic Preservation Fund Grants, administered by the National Park Service and the IHPA are available to Certified Local Governments (http://www.illinoishistory.gov/PS/community.htm) and have been used for local preservation education such as the Aurora and Winnetka publications. Local Main Street programs also interest young people into the effort to preserve historic downtowns. Rushville's Junior Main Street Program raised money for improvements to the historic downtown square. In Staunton high school art class produced renderings of proposed facade improvements for Main Street buildings. And each year the Illinois History Fair has a number of students from all over the state producing histories and models of noteworthy buildings in their towns.

Preservation in the Schools

Historic preservation programs can coincide easily with state educational requirements for teaching local and Illinois history, art, and even math. In Illinois one website ARCHITEACHER.ORG (www.architeacher.org) has been developed to specifically help both educators and preservationists learn how to join together to develop preservation oriented curricula. At the website, Teachers can learn about community preservation, architectural history and local preservation contacts, while preservationists can learn how to connect with interested teachers.

MISSION: Illinois offers teachers and students an opportunity to learn about cutting edge technology while studying Illinois history. A geographic information system and geographic positioning system (GIS and GPS) are relatively new tools that can be used to help preservationists study and protect valuable resources.

A Vision for the State

The Preservation Services Division of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) first prepared a Comprehensive Statewide Historic Preservation Plan in 1995 to establish a body of organizing principles providing guidance for the citizens of Illinois when undertaking any historic preservation activity. This revision in 2005 takes into account changes and developments in the State of Illinois’ population, historic resources, and the economy. To view the document in its entirety click www.illinoishistory.gov/ps/preservationplan.pdf Adobe reader is necessary and available for free download at: Download Adobe Reader

Architecture and Urban Design Awareness Programs

Many education programs for children address historic-preservation-related issues such as architectural appreciation, urban design, and neighborhood and community awareness. Links to a sampling of these programs are listed below:

• ARCHITEACHER
  
• ARCHKIDECTURE
  
• American Architectural Foundation
  
• Building Connections
  
• Chicago Architecture Foundation: Schoolyards to Skylines
  
• CUBE Center for Understanding the Built Environment
  
• Getty Foundation's ArtEdNet: Teaching Landmarks
  
• Getty Foundation's ArtEdNet: Spaces and Places
  
• Getty Foundation's ArtEdNet: Cultural Heritage Sites
  
• The Heritage Education Network
  
• Heritage Education listed by State
  
• IHPA Educational Services
  
• Illinois State Museum at Home in the Heartland
  
• Mission: Illinois
  
• National Building Museum
  
• National Park Service Publications for Kids
  
• Organization of American Historians
  
• Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation
  
• Teaching with Historic Places: National Register of Historic Places
  
• The Archeology Channel Teachers Resources
  
• United Nations Cyber Schoolbus Cities of Today, Cities of Tomorrow!