Letters of support are needed to preserve the historic Mumford House in its present location on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.  Please write or e-mail UIUC administrators to save this National Register listed property.  For more information and addresses, see the detailed article.

The historic Francis & Abbie Solon House was built in 1867 as a “spec” house by local Champaign developer, William Barrett. Seeley Brown was the architect and builder of this handsome Tuscan Villa Italianate residence. Wealthy farmer Abel Harwood purchased the home in 1869 for $12,000 as his retirement residence. After his widow’s death in 1902, the house was rented briefly until it was sold in 1907 to Francis and Abbie Solon, also wealthy farmers.The Solons raised their five children in the home. Their grandchildren donated the house to PACA in 2005 for its preservation.

Currently for sale ($235,000), the building needs a total renovation, including new mechanicals, bathrooms, and kitchen. A new metal roof was installed 2008. More details about the house, its history, and photographs are found under the Francis & Abbie Solon House in Buildings Saved.

 MUMFORD HOUSE, University of Illinois

URGENT HELP NEEDED NOW!

OLDEST BUILDING ON CAMPUS PROPOSED FOR RELOCATION 

·         On the numerous plans for the University campus beginning in the late 19^th century, neither Mumford House nor Morrow Plots nor the National Historic Landmark Observatory next to the Morrow Plots, were rarely, if ever, shown to remain.  Even through the active construction campaign in the 1920s that set the Georgian Revival style for our campus, through the building of the Agriculture Building/Mumford Hall, the Library, the Commerce Building/David Kinley Hall, and the Architecture Building, Mumford House has remained.  Temple Hoyne Buell Hall was constructed to avoid the house.  And even with the McFarland Memorial Bell Tower nearby, Mumford House continues to retain its distinctive site on a slight rise, surrounded with mature trees.

·         If Mumford House is moved, it will be removed from listing in the National Register of Historic Places.  Original sites are always preferred for significant historic buildings.  In addition to site issues, the move itself can cause harm to the house, possibly increasing the already substantial relocation fees.

**************IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED*****************

·         The University of Illinois needs to withdraw the relocation of Mumford House from consideration.  A clear directive from University and campus administrations needs to be announced campus-wide and the possible move needs to be removed from Mediation Committee review.

·         Simple security efforts for the house need to be made immediately.  These low-cost efforts should include proper locking of all doors, securing the rear screen door, and reattaching loose clapboards.

·         The University needs to enthusiastically promote a campus-wide Request for Proposals for rehabilitation and adaptive use of Mumford House in its current, original location.

·         The process of promoting the re-use of the house needs to be an open one, encouraging community and alumni interest.  With alumni from agriculture, architecture, landscape architecture, and other colleges, schools, and departments, the re-use of Mumford House on its original location should be a win/win project.

Send letters to:

Web Information for Mumford House/Contacts

Preservation and Conservation Association of Champaign County

http://pacacc.org/2009/02/01/2871/

Karen L. Kummer, Executive Director  ·   217.359.3848   ·   pacaexdir@comcast.net

Landmarks Illinois

http://landmarks.org/

http://landmarks.org/preservation_news.htm then scroll down to “UI’s Oldest Building Threatened.” 

Jim Peters, President and CEO   ·   312.922.1742, ext. 224   ·   jpeters@lpci.org

National Trust for Historic Preservation

http://www.preservationnation.org/take‑action/advocacy‑center/action‑alerts/mumford‑house.html

Help us save Mumford House, the oldest building on the UIUC campus, on its original site. At the January 22, 2009 Public Meeting, convened by the University of Illinois according to state statute, over 75 people were in attendance and about 20 people spoke. No high-ranking administrator from the University was in attendance. Not one speaker from the audience, was in favor of moving the house to the proposed location and many had ideas for its reuse on site.

The Public Meeting is only the first step. The campaign to keep Mumford House in place must continue. We are now focusing our attention on the UI Board of Trustees and state representatives, who are not aware of the relocation plan nor of the wide-spread public opposition to the move. Not only is the plan to move the oldest building on campus unnecessary but, in these dire economic times, it makes no economic sense. The following web sites have Mumford House information.

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/

http://landmarks.org

http://vincemichael.wordpress.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UIUC_Main_Campus/

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has included the Mumford House issue in one of its weekly e-letters and on its website, through Take-Action. They have tracked over 200 hits and will provide this information to Landmarks Illinois and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The site includes a very easy way to contribute a response either through e-mail or a letter.

http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/advocacy-center/action-alerts/mumford-house.html/

Please take a few minutes of your valuable time to write or e-mail the Board of Trustees. Copies should be sent to President White, Chancellor Herman, and Anne Haaker, IHPA. A copy to your state representative and senator would also be appreciated.

Thank you very much for taking the time to do this. Grassroots campaigns can succeed, but they take the efforts of everyone.