DuPage officials hoping user will emerge to renovate Oak Cottage in Naperville's Greene Valley Forest Preserve

Chicago Tribune

20 hours ago

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is seeking ideas in the next few months to rehabilitate and reuse the 175-year-old Oak Cottage, which is part of the Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville.
Located at the southeast corner of Greene and Hobson roads, the house is an example of a Greek Revival-style farmhouse from the mid-19th century built by one of the early settlers of the Naperville area, said Jessica Ortega, manager of strategic plans and initiatives for the forest district.
It was listed as one of the most endangered historic places in Illinois by preservationist organization Landmarks Illinois in 2023.
That same year, the DuPage forest preserve district approved the Greene Valley Master Plan, which called for a study to document the house's history and condition and create a timeline for partnering with a third party to propose a use and long-term maintenance strategy for the structure.
The report was finished in March, and district officials are asking for statements of interest by Oct. 16 from people or organizations that can preserve the home's historic character.
The hope is to identify a partner that can determine a way to restore and maintain the home that aligns with the district's mission of conservation, education and preservation.
'We are really open-minded right now,' Ortega said.
Jane Burke, secretary of the nonprofit Naperville Preservation, said seeking a user is a step in the right direction.
Oak Cottage is an important symbol of the area's early agricultural heritage nestled in a beautiful setting, she said. The organization looks forward to potential preservation proposals that will be respectful of the cottage and its history, Burke said.
'We're delighted to see the forest preserve district take this step,' she said. 'We definitely do not want it demolished.'
The district has maintained the home since it acquired the property in 1983. It's painted and repaired the exterior wood siding and windows, replaced the roof and conducted asbestos abatement on the interior.
But Oak Cottage has been vacant since 1983 and is in need of substantial rehabilitation, district officials said.
Masonry repair work, in particular, is needed, according to the Cultural Resource Evaluation. Cracking was found at mortar joints of the stone foundation, and settlement was observed at the masonry foundation walls of the main house, the report said.
Inside, there is cracked, deteriorated and missing plaster on the walls and ceiling throughout the building. There's also peeling and flaking paint, signs of water damage and biological growth in various areas, the report said.
It is assumed Oak Cottage would need new plumbing, electrical work, utilities, heating and air conditioning, windows, some structural repairs and improvements that will make the home accessible to the disabled, Ortega said.
While repairs are necessary, the home is in 'remarkably good condition for as old as it is,' Burke said.
Kendra Parzen, advocacy manager for Landmarks Illinois, said there are users out there who are interested in adaptive reuse of historic buildings and her organization can act as a resource in the process.
According to the district, the process for determining a rehabilitation and reuse includes two phases.
First, statements of interest will be evaluated based on factors such as proposed reuse, preservation strategy, project funding and mission alignment.
The selected applicants will then enter a second phase that requires a business plan, architectural and engineering plans, and evidence of financial and organizational support, officials said.
'If someone was able to come forward with a viable plan, it would really keep the character of the agricultural farmstead area a little more intact,' Ortega said.
Landmarks Illinois called attention to Oak Cottage two years ago as one of nine culturally and architecturally significant sites across the state that faces demolition and is worth preserving.
Naperville Preservation at the time encouraged the forest preserve district to find a new use for Oak Cottage to keep with their mission.
Once demolished, Oak Cottage cannot be replaced, the organization said.
Demolition has not been eliminated as an option moving forward but nothing has been decided, Ortega said.
'Right now we are taking it one step at a time and trying to see if someone raises their hand and shows some interest in developing the building,' she said.
A site visit will be held for interested applicants July 16.
Oak Cottage was built in 1850 by William B. Greene, who first arrived in DuPage County from Vermont in 1841.
Greek Revival-style was popular in the U.S. from the 1820s until the Civil War, and additions to the home were built throughout the years. The balloon framing that was used was considered revolutionary in construction at the time, but fell out of favor after the Great Chicago Fire.
Greene played a pivotal role in the development of the area, was instrumental in establishing the area's first store and post office, and helped lay the groundwork for the region's economic development, according to the Cultural Resource Evaluation.
Greene was also known for his work in organizing the early government and infrastructure of the area that would become DuPage County.
Members of the Greene family would continue to live in the home until 1981. The family donated the surrounding land and home to the forest preserve district in 1970 with an agreement that family could live at Oak Cottage until their passing.
'Today, Oak Cottage and the Greene Barn together provide a window into American agricultural settlement and the continuing development patterns of DuPage County,' Landmarks Illinois recently wrote on social media.