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The Bishop Hill Heritage Association Wednesday, Jan. 4, thanked the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for their help in preserving the historic village.
The Heritage Association hosted a luncheon on the second floor of the
historic Blacksmith Shop, now the Prairie Arts Center, in the VagnHall Galleri.
The celebration marked the completion of a $300,722 restoration project for the Blacksmith Shop, which was built in 1857. A Tourism Attraction Program Grant from DCEO paid half the cost; the rest was raised by the Heritage Association.
DCEO Director Warren Ribley, a guest at the luncheon, spoke on “Private and Public Investments and Partnerships,” in Bishop Hill and statewide.
“It is our (DCEO’s) goal that these kinds of investments will eventually produce more money in tourism revenue than what the actual project cost will be and that’s why we are glad to be able to offer our support and look forward to being able to continue to be partners with you,” said Ribley.
Bishop Hill resident Mike Wendel, executive director of the Heritage Association, gave a detailed presentation on the restoration work, which was completed by Triangle Construction and Lumber company of Cambridge.
Repairs included rebuilding the second floor and constructing new interior and exterior staircases, insulation of the attic and floor, new utility services, window replacement and tuckpointing the shop.
The Prairie Arts Center houses the Colony Pottery and features items by local artisans on the first level. The VagnHall Galleri is now available for special events and will be used for art exhibits.
“If it had not been for DCEO I don’t know what we would have done,” said Wendel.”It’s been a worthwhile endeavor and has given new life to the village.”
Wendell said the next restoration project will be updating the 1854 Steeple Building for $625,120, raised through private donations and three grants.
The grants are from Save America’s Treasures, administered by the National Park Service; King Gustaf VI Adolfs Fund for Swedish Culture; and Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. The contractor for the restoration project is Dell Timberworks of Knoxville.
Representatives from Black Hawk College East Campus made a presentation on their three-year venture of producing organically-grown vegetables.
The college’s Locally Grown Foods Program receives grants of $45,000 a year from DCEO. The organic farming project is overseen by agronomy instructor Andrew Larson and Professor Dr. Jeffrey Hawes.
Larson said the project sells wholesale, retail and through a community u-pick program.
The Bishop Hill Heritage Association Wednesday, Jan. 4, thanked the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for their help in preserving the historic village.
The Heritage Association hosted a luncheon on the second floor of the
historic Blacksmith Shop, now the Prairie Arts Center, in the VagnHall Galleri.
The celebration marked the completion of a $300,722 restoration project for the Blacksmith Shop, which was built in 1857. A Tourism Attraction Program Grant from DCEO paid half the cost; the rest was raised by the Heritage Association.
DCEO Director Warren Ribley, a guest at the luncheon, spoke on “Private and Public Investments and Partnerships,” in Bishop Hill and statewide.
“It is our (DCEO’s) goal that these kinds of investments will eventually produce more money in tourism revenue than what the actual project cost will be and that’s why we are glad to be able to offer our support and look forward to being able to continue to be partners with you,” said Ribley.
Bishop Hill resident Mike Wendel, executive director of the Heritage Association, gave a detailed presentation on the restoration work, which was completed by Triangle Construction and Lumber company of Cambridge.
Repairs included rebuilding the second floor and constructing new interior and exterior staircases, insulation of the attic and floor, new utility services, window replacement and tuckpointing the shop.
The Prairie Arts Center houses the Colony Pottery and features items by local artisans on the first level. The VagnHall Galleri is now available for special events and will be used for art exhibits.
“If it had not been for DCEO I don’t know what we would have done,” said Wendel.”It’s been a worthwhile endeavor and has given new life to the village.”
Wendell said the next restoration project will be updating the 1854 Steeple Building for $625,120, raised through private donations and three grants.
The grants are from Save America’s Treasures, administered by the National Park Service; King Gustaf VI Adolfs Fund for Swedish Culture; and Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. The contractor for the restoration project is Dell Timberworks of Knoxville.
Representatives from Black Hawk College East Campus made a presentation on their three-year venture of producing organically-grown vegetables.
The college’s Locally Grown Foods Program receives grants of $45,000 a year from DCEO. The organic farming project is overseen by agronomy instructor Andrew Larson and Professor Dr. Jeffrey Hawes.
Larson said the project sells wholesale, retail and through a community u-pick program.
“The benefits to the students allows them to showcase not only the productive side but also offers them a major focus on the marketing side of the business,” said Larson.
“The hands-on learning opportunities have been wonderful as this project has continued to evolve.” said Larson. “It’s also been a great return on investment for the community.”
Representatives of Invenergy also updated the 50 people who attended the luncheon on the development and local economic benefits of the Bishop Hill Wind Farm now being built.
The 133 turbines of the first phase of the project are being erected and are to be completed by this summer.
The second phase of the work, begun last month, will include 50 additional turbines.
Jeff Veazie, development manager for Invenergy, said a key to the project was expansion of the Kewanee Enterprise Zone to include the turbine sites.
Invenergy has pledged $500,000 to support future construction projects in Bishop Hill.
