Community Corner

Settler's Cottage Project Wins Governor's Award

The project, which saved and restored a 170-year-old home on River Street, received a Governor's Hometown Award for historic preservation, recognizing seven years of work by a team of volunteers.

Seven years of hard work by a dedicated group of volunteers was recognized last week when the Settler’s Cottage project won a Governor’s Home Town Award.

The awards, given by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, are meant to showcase volunteer efforts that improve the community. Ask Jeanette Lee, and she’ll tell you Settler’s Cottage definitely qualifies.

“It’s a big part of the village of Montgomery,” said Lee, the chair of the village’s Historic Preservation Commission. “It was a long time in coming, and it’s really nice to finally be recognized for this.”

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Settler’s Cottage was built in 1840 and owned by Daniel Gray, the founder of Montgomery, and has been on River Street ever since. But when the village drafted plans to build a new village hall on that spot, the house was slated for demolition. But the Preservation Commission stepped in, asking the village to save the house.

They were told the village would not pay to restore it, so they set to work raising funds. For the last five years, they’ve been doing just that—the annual garage sales are a regular fundraiser for Settler’s Cottage, and donations gathered at events like the Riverside Cemetery Walk go a long way.

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Lee said much of the work has been done, and Settler’s Cottage now serves as a history museum, open during the summer months. The Commission is now raising money to restore the steps leading up to the front door, so visitors can use them.

Lee has put in years of work because she believes that preserving the community’s history is important—vital, even. She urged anyone in the village with historical documents or items to bring them to the Commission. They can be scanned and returned, Lee said, but making sure that history is not lost is crucial.

Lee was among the Montgomery contingent that traveled to Springfield on Oct. 26 to receive the award. With her were Village President Marilyn Michelini, Village Manager Anne Marie Gaura, her executive assistant Debbie Buchanan, and Preservation Commission member John Aman.

Gov. Pat Quinn could not attend, but Dan Seals, assistant director of the DCEO, presented the award on his behalf. Montgomery was one of 28 communities to win awards this year, granted in four categories, based on population.

“It was a wonderful presentation for everyone nominated and awarded,” Lee said.

She disagreed that the award validated all of the group’s efforts, saying that they were validated as soon as the village allowed them to save the house. And since then, she said, those efforts have made Settler’s Cottage an important and significant part of the village.

“We saved Settler’s Cottage, and we did with just donations and grants, and guess what? It’s a big part of the village of Montgomery,” she said. “That’s awesome.”

You can read more about the history of Settler’s Cottage and the efforts to restore it and . To donate, visit at 200 N. River St. and ask to see Debbie Buchanan. The cottage is open during the summer months on the second Tuesday and third Sunday of each month, from 12:30-2:30 p.m., or by appointment. It will reopen in May.


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