Kids & Family
Excitement Builds for White House Restoration
The public had an opportunity to tour the historic Barrington White House and learn about restoration plans. The goal is complete the project in February 2015 for the village's sesquicentennial.
Enthusiasm and excitement over a project to restore Barrington's historical White House as a community gathering place ran high during an open house event over the weekend.
Though it took some imagination to envision what the empty 115-year-old home on W. Main Street would look like once fully restored, its potential is clear. And perhaps more importantly, the team leading the campaign to return the landmark to its original grandeur and open it up to the community is fully invested in seeing it through.
A quiet fundraising campaign is underway, with broader plans and events still to come. The volunteer committee will need to raise $5 million for construction costs and another $1 million to cover start-up expenses. The Village of Barrington, which purchased the White House from Barrington Realty in 2007 as part of its downtown revitalization efforts, will allow renovations to commence once 80 percent of the funds have been committed.
The committee, which includes Mary Smith, Village President Karen Darch, Tom Hayward, Dave Nelson, Freddie Smith Pederson and Beth Raseman is confident they can raise the necessary funds.
"There's not a person who doesn't know this house," said Smith. "There is huge interest."
Grand home
Built for banker John Robertson and his wife Julia in 1898 by Fred Lines, the home was considered to be the grandest in Barrington and was the site of many social gatherings, according to a press release. Throughout the years, the White House served as a makeshift hospital during the influenza outbreak of 1918, was a rest home and housed Barrington Realty.
The volunteer committee has been working with, Johnson Lasky Architects (JLA), a firm that specializes in historic structures JLA, along with Pepper Construction, to assess how to best restore and renovate the building and bring it into compliance with current codes and accessibility needs.
"The overall structure is in very good shape. It needs rehab, but the bones are very good," said Chet Busse, of Pepper Construction.
The first floor of the home will retain its original configuration of rooms, with a full catering kitchen, according to a press release. The second floor will be primarily rental office spaces for nonprofit organizations, as well as a bride’s room. The third floor will be completely remodeled. The remodel will expand the ballroom, originally occupying the front of the house to the entire length of the house and will be able to accommodate seated parties of 150.
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"This is something the village needs," said Rider, who owned Chicago's Germania Place. Once restored, said Rider, Barrington's White House will be a true community gathering place and a venue for special events like weddings and banquets. Renovation plans also include construction of a full catering kitchen.
Aside from hosting special events and cultural programs, the White House will serve as a meeting place for area organizations and nonprofits. In fact, the second floor will be dedicated office space rented to nonprofits.
Assuming the funds can be raised, construction would begin next spring. The committee would like to have renovations completed for the village's sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) and open to the public in mid-February 2015.
"What a gift to the community it will be to have this project done," said Barch.
Those wishing to make a donation to the fundraising campaign can contact the village at (847) 304-3400.
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