The House on the Hill – McCord House and Gallery
Originally published August 17, 2014 (Submission copy)
Perhaps while you were traveling on LaGrange Road near 131st Street, you glanced to the west and saw an historic white house sitting atop the hill just north of Carl Sandburg High School. This building, The McCord Gallery and Cultural Center, is located at 9602 West Creek Road, Palos Park.
Unusual buildings such as these are seemingly “out of place” structures that grab my attention; for it is rare to see historic buildings in this area. I’m always curious to see to what purpose these buildings are serving today. This building currently is an art and music instruction center, along with an art gallery. There’s a lot of culture in the building!
I met with Lynne Terr, Executive Director of the McCord Gallery, and Jeanette Wood, Co-chair of the Golf Outing Committee, who both were excited to talk about about the goings-on of the building; and, by the end of our session, they were telling stories of their travels procuring artwork; searching out famed artists, and other adventures that they have had in their quest to bring art to our community.
They also shared with me the history and future plans for the building, including photos of the historic building, along with the architectural renderings of the new annex, which will be built adjacent to the building and will bring even more art and music classes, artwork, and exhibits to the community.
Currently there are 172 art students and 107 music students that attend classes every week; many of them Orland Park residents who take lessons in piano, voice, guitar, songwriting – even ukulele classes – which, according to Lynne Terr, is making a big comeback! Check their website for upcoming fall classes at www.mccordgallery.org.
“The annex will enable us to offer classes that we cannot have in an older building,” provided Lynne Terr. She then informed of one donor, Betty Anderson, who has made a sizable donation for the construction of the new building. She also tells of the Weglarz family who is offering a challenge grant of up to $500,000, and is meeting the donations as they are accepted.
This building does not operate on tax funds collected from the community it serves. Instead, it operates on private donations and fundraisers throughout the year. Their first annual McCord Gallery and Cultural Center Capital Campaign Benefit Golf Event “Fairway for the Arts” is scheduled for Monday, September 15, at Crystal Tree Golf and Country Club in Orland Park. Proceeds from this event will be used to fund construction of the new Annex, which will provide classrooms, art and dance studios, rehearsal spaces, performance spaces – including a theater, along with more exhibit space.
“Our focus right now is the Golf Event; since it is our first annual, we want to make sure it is well attended. Crystal Tree Golf Course provides ‘an elegant escape’,” Jeanette Wood informed.
Providing a brief history of the building – the structure was built in 1834 by the McCord Family, and is one of the oldest buildings in Illinois that is on its original foundation. However, “due to the Chicago fire of 1871 and a fire within the personal records of the McCord family, the entire history of McCord House may not be able to be recovered,” from their website.
In 1944 the Connell family bought the home and began restoration. They worked to preserve the historic building, and took measures to insure that the building remain close to its original beauty.
In the 1980′s Frank Gasior purchased the home and the immediate surrounding property, much of which was later developed.
“The Village of Palos Park annexed the property and became the owners and official stewards. Through a village-appointed ad hoc committee, the McCord House 501(c)(3) Not for Profit Corporation was formed in February 2003. The corporation currently leases the property from the Village of Palos Park and the operating name of the facility is McCord Gallery & Cultural Center,” their informational brochure explains its current status.
Registration information for the Golf Event can be found at www.mccordgallery.org or by calling (708) 671-0648. Lunch will be served at 11:00 a.m.; a Shot Gun Start for golf is scheduled for noon; dinner with open bar, and awards reception at 5:00 p.m. That is a full day of activity for $200 per player/$800 per team! Not a golfer? Please then, come for the dinner ($60).