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Historic preservation commission selects freestanding plaque option for Village Hall memorial area
Summary
Commissioners chose a freestanding, pole-mounted plaque option (Option 4) for the memorial area adjacent to Village Hall, with language edits and a target to have one plaque in place by Memorial Day if fabrication timing allows.
Hinsdale’s Historic Preservation Commission agreed to proceed with a freestanding, pole-mounted plaque option (Option 4) for the memorial area adjacent to Village Hall steps during its April 14 meeting, with an understanding that the commission may add a second plaque later and will finalize language and fabrication timing with staff.
Staff presented five placement and mounting options, including wall-mounted and plaza-mounted designs. Commissioners and Trustee Fisher preferred a freestanding two-plaque approach to preserve symmetry and to anticipate a second plaque commemorating the carillon and bells. Because the commission does not currently have final language for a second plaque and the project is not budgeted for both plaques at once, members agreed to pursue Option 4, which allows for a freestanding plaque on either side of the steps and keeps the option open for a future second plaque.
The commission made several small edits to the proposed plaque text: remove an unnecessary apostrophe in "1920s," capitalize “Village” where used, and change phrasing from “war dead” to language matching the plaza plaque ("those brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice to our country"). Staff said she will circulate the revised final draft to commissioners, confirm with the plaque vendor the fabrication lead time and work with public services on mounting details; public services advised a roughly 8-inch-wide concrete pier is required for pole-mounted plaques and that pole anchoring depth depends on plaque size.
Commissioners expressed a preference to install a single plaque on the left side first, with the second plaque to follow subject to budget and final language. Staff will attempt to secure turnaround in time for Memorial Day but noted the fabrication timeline is vendor-dependent.
The commission described the decision as non-formal (no roll-call was required) but moved forward to implement Option 4, with staff handling final language, ordering and coordination with public services.
