The Village of Montgomery was one of 28 communities recognized for outstanding volunteer projects at a ceremony in Springfield on October 26th. The Settler’s Cottage restoration project won top honors in the Division 4 (population 10,001-25,000) Historic Preservation category. Each winning community received a road sign and plaque commemorating their efforts.
Governor’s Home Town Award recipients were chosen by a group of volunteer judges who reviewed and ranked applications based on community need, use of resources and results. “The volunteers we are recognizing today truly exemplify the best Illinois has to offer by going above and beyond to make their communities better places to live,” Governor Quinn said on Wednesday. “By investing their time and talent, these individuals are not only supporting their neighbors, but also uplifting the entire state.”
Volunteers on Montgomery’s Historic Preservation Commission have been working since 2004 to preserve and restore Settler’s Cottage, the oldest house in the Village, which had been slated for demolition. Commission members petitioned the Village Board to save the small home, built in 1840 and owned for many years by Daniel S. Gray, the founder of Montgomery. The Commission then spent the next five years seeking grants and donations to completely restore the structure and turn it into a local history museum.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Village was Jeanette Lee, Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission since its beginning in 2003. “The Historic Preservation Commission accomplished much in a short period of time,” said Lee. “Without great teamwork from all of the past and present members of the Commission and our other dedicated volunteers, we would not have had such success. Everyone who has been part of this project can be very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
The Settler’s Cottage museum opened in August of 2010 and is open to the public on the second Tuesday and third Sunday of each month from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on other days by appointment. The museum contains photographs and artifacts related to the history of Montgomery since its founding in 1835.