Orland Historical Society seeks help with repairs following COVID-related cancelations
Mokena’s Fourth of July parade latest event cancelation due to COVID-19 pandemic
Pictured is the John Humphrey House in Orland Park. The historic landmark is in need of approximately $20,000 in repairs that the Orland Historical Society is attempting to raise. MARY COMPTON/RICHARD FREE PRESS
By Bill Jones, Freelance Reporter
The historical John Humphrey House needs a new roof, chimney and gutter system. And, one way or another, the Orland Historical Society is going to have to fund all of those repairs.
Diane Grah, the society’s president, said the board is simply trying to figure out how to do it all without breaking the bank.
The society hoped to raise roughly $20,000 through tours of the landmark and events, but “those had to be canceled because of the pandemic,” Grah said.
The society — an independent nonprofit that has existed since 1975 and operated since 1987 out of the Humphrey House, which was left to the organization in the will of a family member of the namesake former Illinois senator — also has a “small” trust associated with the home for basic maintenance. But that is based on the market, and “that check is probably going to be smaller,” according to Grah.
Pictured earlier this month, the Humphrey House is in need of roof and interior repairs. PHOTOS BY MARY COMPTON/RICHARD FREE PRESS
To make up for the lost funding, Grah said the society is trying to appeal to supporters through a direct mail campaign, as well as seeking sponsorships. It also is hoping to put on outdoor activities this summer to drum up support for the cause, but those events are still up in the air. Additionally, the board is looking at possible grants.
“We have funding, but we’re trying not to lose it all,” Grah said.
The majority of the $20,000 is ticketed toward repairing a leaking cedar shake roof, Grah said.
“Over time, it just failed,” she explained.
Christine Brooks (left) and Diane Grah – the vice president and president of the Orland Historical Society, respectively – are pictured inside a bedroom in the Humphrey House. The historical society is attempting to raise approximately $20,000 to pay for repairs to the Orland Park landmark. MARY COMPTON/RICHARD FREE PRESS
The rest of the money would cover a chimney and gutter system for the home, which was in 2005 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was one of the first homes established in what is now Orland Park. And before the pandemic, the society offered regularly scheduled tours.
“This is a national historic landmark, and we’re trying to do our best to preserve [it],” Grah said.
To help support the efforts in repairing the Humphrey House, the Orland Historical Society can be found on Facebook or by email at orlandhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
Mokena’s Fourth of July parade latest event cancelation due to COVID-19 pandemic
By Jon DePaolis
In a statement posted to its Facebook page on June 6, the Mokena Chamber of Commerce announced that the annual Fourth of July Parade in downtown Mokena has been canceled for 2020.
“The Mokena Chamber of Commerce, with input from the Village of Mokena, the Mokena Police Department, the Mokena Fire Protection District, and ESDA, has exhausted every possible avenue for putting on our annual Fourth of July Parade,” the statement reads. “Current restrictions in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with uncertainties as to what will and will not be allowed regarding public gatherings moving forward, as well as insurance issues, has regretfully led us to the decision to cancel this year’s Fourth of July Parade.
“We waited to come to this decision while we explored as many alternate ideas and solutions as possible. This decades long tradition is so important to our chamber, and we know how cherished it is by our residents and our business community, as well.”
Read the full statement from the Chamber.