Preservation Chicago Nomination & Donations Update

Dear Friends of President Reagan's Chicago Home:

Mr. Sam Guard of Hyde Park has nominated President Reagan's Chicago Home at 832 E. 57th Street for Preservation Chicago's annual "Chicago 7" list of endangered buildings.  (See nomination along with accompanying photos below.)

Also, you may now make donations to Friends of President Reagan's Chicago Home via credit card. (See secure USA E-Pay Donate portal at right.)

For those who are tuning in for the first time, here's background on this national initiative as well as our corporate purpose statement.

Thanks for all your support.  Have a great weekend.

Please note, I'll be on the Teri O'Brien Show at 6:30 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, February 3, just as the Super Bowl kicks off, to talk about our national initiative.  [2/3 update: Here's my appearance - 90 minutes in to about 102 minutes. (A little feedback problem 91:00-94:00)]

Best,
Mary Claire
Acting President/CEO
Friends of President Reagan's Chicago Home

Nomination:  832-34 East 57th St., a 1900s 3-story, apartment building of architectural and historic significance;  rated  orange by Chicago Historic Resources Survey.   Demolition permit filed 12/27/12 by Heneghan Wrecking;  currently on 90-day hold. Architectural Merit:  A superior example of masonry construction designed to optimize a small corner lot (40'x50'), yet provide attractive housing by means of the skillful use of a variety of materials and decorative detailing.   I find the spirit of Burnham-era Chicago embodied in this vernacular yellow-brick six-flat.     The first photo shows the triple-arched entrance trimmed in limestone set flush against the sidewalk with overhanging corner bays.   Sideview in 2d photo shows spacious windows accented with stone keys, springline, and belt-course sills.      Image 3557 shows pressed-metal ornamentation of overscale tourelle with Classic leaf festoons.   In Image 3560 a corbelled brick frieze can be seen beneath the projecting cornice supported by brachiolia.   I think this building spoke to tenants with aspirations !      Attachment 5 is the building's Data Form documenting its listing in the seminal Chicago Historic Resources Survey.   Please observe the entry: "Noteworthy due to historical associations."    Historic Association:  From 1914 to 1915 (possibly 1917) this building was the Chicago home of Ronald Reagan.   He mentioned it in his autobiography, letters, and conversations.   He recalled the Eastland capsizing, Cottage Grove streetcars, friendly neighbors.     ... (President Reagan's) first trip away from Washington (after the assassination attempt) was to a Labor Conference in Chicago where (Mayor Jane) Byrne presented him with a framed picture of his Chicago childhood home.   The 5th photo (below), devoid of construction fencing, shows to us the stately & dignified & stately quality of this structure.  Endangerment:  832-34 E. 57th now has been absorbed into a 217-acre Planned Development (#43 as amended Jan. 10, 2013).   The site is scheduled for a future medical research center.   A recent newspaper article attached here.       An affinity group with headquarters in Washington wants to save the building for Adaptive Re-use as a medical conference center, or administration offices, classrooms, etc.   They are interested especially in Alzheimer education & research.   I have told them that the excellent condition of the building will assure another 100 years of re-useful life.     They incorporated Jan. 16th as Friends of President Reagan's Chicago Home, Inc.;  PO box 3772, Washington DC 20027-3772;  Telephone 301/625-4123.   They see this issue as one of national concern and, presently, are not affiliated with any local group.                   #                           #                           #