From ‘eyesore’ to discovery center, check out these plans for historic Belleville home
An 111-year-old home that had once been condemned and threatened with demolition is now targeted to be one of the highlights of the historic homes in Belleville.
As part of the St. Clair County Historical Society’s campaign to expand, the society is renovating the home next to its current headquarters on East Washington Street and will create what’s billed as a “history discovery center.”
It will be named in honor of Daphne Sumner, who donated a $100,000 “challenge gift” to launch the fundraising drive for the project valued at $350,000.
“We’re offering our community a place to explore the past, a place to grow and a place to inspire,” Sumner said during a groundbreaking ceremony for the center on Tuesday.
Sumner, a Millstadt resident and former president of the historical society, said the society’s “ambitious plan” prompted herself and her family to make the lead gift.
Will Shannon, curator of the historical society, said Highland-based Korte & Luitjohan Contractors has already begun the restoration and the work is expected to be completed next spring.
The Daphne Sumner History Discovery Center will include:
▪ Research library.
▪ Artifact preservation lab with climate-controlled storage and scanner for large documents and maps.
▪ A gazebo for outdoor performances and social events.
▪ Curator’s office.
▪ A rose garden and new landscaping in the Victorian tradition. The outdoor gathering area will provide a place for tour groups to meet.
Historic home renovation
The new center will be in a two-story, brick building constructed in 1909 in the Queen Anne architectural style. It’s located at 705 E. Washington St., which is adjacent to the society’s museum and office at 701 E. Washington St.
Shannon said the society was the only bidder during an auction in 2012 for the building. The group’s winning bid was for $20,000.
It was a single-family home until 1961 when it was converted to apartments. The building eventually was condemned and all the tenants had left by 2011, according to Shannon.
The slate roof had “softball size” holes so that was a problem the society had to tackle immediately.
A new roof and gutters were installed in 2013 and tuckpointing on the exterior bricks was completed in 2015.
“We quite literally saved it from demolition because it was in such a shape that it had been condemned but the owner brought it up to code enough to be able to sell it and that’s when we bought it,” Shannon said.
“We had to do some stabilization work and this was the next logical step to that. It will kind of tie all this together into a museum campus.”
Chip Gray, president of the historical society, said the view of the two buildings from East Washington Street will be “fabulous.”
“This project also will help the city of Belleville and one of Belleville’s grand historic districts because another eyesore will be eliminated and we’ll have two beautiful buildings here when it is all finished,” Gray said.
Historic districts draw attention
The society’s current museum is located in a Greek Revival-style home that was built in 1866 by a debt collector.
The two buildings are located in what’s known as the Old Belleville Historic District, which was established in the 1970s and was the first such district in the city.
For Shannon, the preservation of the two homes is a vital part of the society’s mission.
“We’re trying to lead by example here,” Shannon said. “There are a lot of younger families and people moving into the historic district and these are our neighbors and we’re anxious to be a part of it. I love seeing it.
“I’m 42 and a lot of people my age and younger are realizing how great these houses are.”
How to help
Sumner said the organization is “outgrowing” its headquarters, but Shannon noted the new discovery center will give the society “more space to do what we do.”
“It will mean more open exhibit space,” he said. “It’ll mean that we can store our artifacts in absolutely optimum conditions. And it will also mean that our collections will be more accessible so more people can come see them and use them and learn from them.”
Sumner’s daughter, Cynthia Sumner Holter, encourages history buffs to meet her mother’s challenge.
“We’re kind of just kicking off the campaign,” Holter said. “She’s also doing a challenge, so she’s hoping to inspire others by making this jump.”
For more information about the society and how to donate, call Will Shannon at 618-234-0600. Also, you can check out the society on Facebook, on Twitter @STCCHS and the group’s website at stcchs.org.
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 12:00 AM.
