La Grange Area Historical Society:

La Grange IL

12 August, 2021

7:31 PM

Description

Press release from the La Grange Area Historical Society: 2021-08-12 The home of Jonathan & Elizabeth Asperger – 301 South Waiola This home is a modified Prairie Style designed in 1909 and built in 1910 by architect Christopher F. Jobson. It lies in the Historic District of La Grange that has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. Jobson was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and noted for his vernacular Prairie style, one that combined elements of other styles into the Prairie designs. The home includes beautiful gardens and a greenhouse that was added in 1940. Many original features prevail adding to the beauty and ambiance. Join us on the tour to learn more about this 6000 sq. ft. home and some of the prominent community residents who have enjoyed living here.   The home of Mike & Lisa Henderson – 211 South La Grange Road Welcome to what was originally the W. Irving Clark home, now the home of Mike and Lisa Henderson and their 5 children. This beautiful home with striking geometries and pronounced roof planes once housed a civil war museum on the 3rd floor. During the 1970's and 80's local NBC news anchorman Joel Daley and his family lived here. He was instrumental in researching and uncovering key facts about the authorship of this home that had been debated for years. Learn about this controversy and how it was confirmed that this home is indeed a Frank Lloyd Wright Bootleg house built in 1893 when Wright was just 25 years old.  It also was selected to appear in the Book of the Western Suburbs, Homes, Garden, Landscapes, Highways & Byways Past and Present published in 1912.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The La Grange Theater – 80 South La Grange Road You are in for a real treat! This is a "behind the scenes tour" by one of the owners who will provide us with a peek into the past and a look at the restored beauty. The La Grange Theater opened in 1925 and began as a "Live" Theater where actual live acts such as vaudeville performed to the audience. It had an orchestra and an organist. The building was designed by the same architect that designed the Chicago Theater, Cornelius and George Rapp. It was split into multiples in the late 1900's and many original features were covered up and forgotten. When the current owners arrived on the scene they found much of the original grandeur was missing. Learn about the restoration project that was undertaken to bring back some of the original grandeur and listen to an overview of the Theater's History. Historical photos and memorabilia will be shared during the tour.   The home of Lesley Parent & Jamie Thomason – 29 Dover Avenue This home was designed by architect R. Harold Zook and built in 1927.  The craftsmanship and unique artistic details make his home designs one of a kind. Known primarily for his Cotswold styled cottages, Zook was deeply influenced by nature. This home features exposed wooden beams and a living room with cathedral like ceilings as well as distinctive floral and animal details to shutters. Zook designed homes have a magical quality to them. Learn about this interesting and important architect and see the unique "Zook" features. Get a glimpse of the beautiful fireplace with original ironwork that makes quite a living room statement. Adding to all of this is a story about the message in a bottle! Enjoy the tour and history of this architectural treasure.   The home of Mary Savoie & Terry Stegner – 142 N. Madison Ave. (Floral arrangement by Phillip's Flowers, La Grange Park) This home was built in 1887. Its style has been described as late Victorian, Swedish Colonial, Craftsman and Vernacular! The first thing you will notice is the dual stair entrance to the porch that was recently refurbished with new stone and large planters, adding a bit of French Chateau grandeur and some great curb appeal. The walkways are lined with the embossed elegant bricks that at one time lined the streets around this home. Step on to one of the most beautiful and massive porches in the community. You will see how some features in the home have changed to meet today's living requirements and also find some elements from the past that still prevail. Their collection of unique art adds touches of drama to the décor. Click Here to Register Today! A huge thank you to our Event Sponsor and our Videography Sponsor!! This press release was produced by the La Grange Area Historical Society. The views expressed here are the author's own.