MUMFORD HOUSE, University of Illinois
URGENT HELP NEEDED NOW!
OLDEST BUILDING ON CAMPUS PROPOSED FOR RELOCATION
At Issue
· Facilities & Services/University of Illinois proposes to relocate Mumford House, the oldest building on campus, to south of Windsor Road, essentially off campus.
· The University and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency have reached the final step (Mediation Committee) in the required process defined in the Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Preservation Act. Even if the Committee recommends that the house should not be moved, this legislation is largely advisory; the University may still move Mumford House.
Significance of Mumford House
· Mumford House was constructed in 1870 and is the oldest building on campus. Built as a model farmhouse, it was the focus of an expansive Experimental Farm, which dominated the south campus of the university for decades. Mumford House, together with the National Historic Landmark Morrow Plots (the oldest soil experimentation field in the country) remain as the only features of this farm.
· Mumford House is one of THE iconic places on campus, the symbol of our roots for the University, for our community, and for the State of Illinois. The house presents the perfect opportunity to set a national example for sustainability through historic rehabilitation, for creative re-use, and for a celebration of the University’s pivotal role in agricultural education.
· Mumford House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
· Mumford House is in its original location. The National Historic Landmark Morrow Plots are directly visible to the northeast, across the open field of the South Quad, thus these two vestiges of the original Experimental Farm continue to relate to each other.
· The surrounding context of Mumford House has changed, but the house remains a clear reminder of the University’s historic land grant founding. Mumford House has become an important symbol that defines the growth and development of the university around it.
· Literally thousands of students, faculty/staff, and visitors walk by this house daily. On this original site, this significant pedestrian zone, the educational value of Mumford House is unprecedented. The potential for donor financial contributions is obvious.
· On the numerous plans for the University campus beginning in the late 19th 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:
Board of Trustees University of Illinois Urbana, IL 61801 uibot@uillinois.edu Pres. B. Joseph White University of Illinois 506 S Wright St. Urbana, IL 61801 bjwhite@uillinois.eduChancellor Richard Herman University of Illinois 601 E. John St. Champaign, IL 61820 rhh@illinois.edu Anne Haaker Illinois Historic Preservation Agency 1 Old State Capitol Plaza Springfield, IL 62710 anne.haaker@illinois.gov
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