Thirteen Illinois communities will share federal historic preservation grants. The money will fund historical surveys in Belvidere and Ottawa, and a video project in Woodstock. It will also be used in Morrison.
According to a news release from theIllinois Historic Preservation Agency, the communities were selected through a point-based merit review process. Projects must relate to historic preservation and could include planning, public education, workshops and heritage publications, cultural resource inventories and listings on the National Register of Historic Places. Federal grants pay for up to 70 percent of a project’s costs, with local funds making up the remainder.
Local projects include:
Belvidere – $7,000 grant for an intensive cultural resources survey of the original town, as stipulated by the Boone County Comprehensive Plan to raise public and governmental awareness of significant places in the community. Project Total $10,000.
Morrison -- $14,000 grant to prepare a National Register of Historic Places nomination to include 85 buildings within the central historic downtown. Project Total $20,000.
Ottawa -- $11,270 grant to conduct a historic resources survey for the west side of town, leading to public education and additional nomination for properties as local landmarks and to the National Register of Historic Places. Project Total $16,100.
Woodstock -- $4,550 grant to produce a video about architectural significance of the Historic McHenry Courthouse and Jail to raise awareness and support for preservation and restoration. Project Total $6,500.
