Reflections on Kane County Historic Preservation
The Kane County Historic Preservation Commission is charged with accepting nominations for sites, districts, or road corridors, which might qualify as historic landmarks and of determining whether or not to recommend that they be designated as such by the County Board. Once a site is designated as historic, no significant alterations, exterior construction, or demolition may be undertaken without a "certificate of appropriateness" from the Commission.
The nine members of the Commission, appointed by the County Board, are drawn from all geographic sections of the County. They volunteer their time.
Shauna Wiet was appointed Chair of the Commission at its inception and recently decided to step down. Kane County Connects asked her to pen a piece, reflecting on her time as a volunteer on the Commission and Kane County.
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When I was asked to write a few words about my 35 years as chair of the Kane County Historic Preservation Commission, the first word that came to mind was gratitude: Gratitude for a visionary county board that saw fit to create an ad hoc committee on historic preservation in 1987 and to support and integrate preservation into our quality of life since. Gratitude for a knowledgeable, professional, and caring staff throughout the years; and gratitude for a committed group of community representatives I am proud to now call friends.
I am reminded of a quote from our That Darn Barn project, “It doesn't take any kind of genius to tear something down." When you think of the value of integrating historic resources into current landscapes, ask yourself where you choose to vacation, what kinds of properties you see on commercials, and what are the popular home sites on Instagram?
Please visit our website to see your Kane County landmarks and historic districts. The KCHPC hopes to serve as a resource to property owners. In our experience, every owner wants to do the right thing, increase value, and be a good neighbor. A few more discussions can make a lasting difference in a project which may be with us 50 years or more.
I will never forget the first time I saw Kane County as a college student in 1982. I thought, “Kane County seems like a really nice place to live." Indeed, it is, and it has been my privilege to be associated with Kane County for more than 35 years.
Shauna Wiet
Thank you Shauna Wiet.
Click to view the Kane County Historic Landmarks Map .
Click to apply for the Certificate of Appropriateness For Exterior to Kane County Landmark .
For more information on the Commission or to volunteer, contact Julia Thavong, Preservation Planner, at 630-208-5347.
