Naperville, IL -

The Martin Mitchell Mansion and Carriage House, located on the grounds of Naper Settlement, were honored in mid-March with the Victorian Society in America's highest preservation award. The Mansion and Carriage House underwent a $2.8 million restoration from 2000 to 2003 that returned the stately Victorian home to its original glory.

 

Charles J. Robertson, chairman of the Victorian Society's Preservation Committee, noted that the committee was impressed with the professional care with which the restoration was undertaken.

"The restoration can truly serve as a textbook of how such a project should be managed, with expert advice and craftsmen employed at every step of the way," he said.

Debbie Grinnell, director of preservation services at Naper Settlement, spearheaded the Mansion and Carriage House restoration project.

"This is a national award of significance that is a testament to a job well done by everyone associated with and supportive of the Naperville Heritage Society and Naper Settlement," she said.

Locally, Vanessa Falcon, president of the Greater Chicago Chapter of the Victorian Society in America, supported the Mansion's nomination. She congratulated Naper Settlement staff upon the receipt of the coveted national preservation award.

 "We look forward to holding combined programs in the future to benefit the Naperville community," Falcon said.

In 2004, the Mansion restoration received awards from the Preservation Council of Illinois, the Illinois Association of Museums and the American Association for State and Local History.

The Victorian Society in America is a national nonprofit organization with 20 chapters across the country and several thousand members. The organization is committed to historic preservation, protection, understanding, education and enjoyment of 19th century heritage. The award will formally be presented to Naper Settlement in May at the Victorian Society's annual meeting.

The past comes to life at Naper Settlement, a 19th century village on 13 acres with 30 historic structures, including a Victorian mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places, homes, businesses, a log house, fort, chapel and a one-room schoolhouse. The first outdoor museum in Illinois accredited by the American Association of Museums, Naper Settlement is Chicagoland's premier 19th century living history village. For more information on Naper Settlement, membership, volunteering, the Museum Store or upcoming events, call 630.420-6010, call the Event Hotline at 630.305-5555.