Evanston preservation panel asks staff to draft landmark report for Willard School

Mister Weber, the nomination’s author, presented historic and architectural evidence on behalf of Willard School and asked the Evanston Preservation Commission to recommend the property for local landmark designation.

Weber emphasized the school’s namesake, Frances Willard, her national influence with the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and Northwestern ties, and the building’s architects — Henry Wade Rader and later Childs & Smith — arguing the property satisfies multiple designation criteria. "I respectfully request that you approve the nomination and recommend landmark designation to the city council," Weber told the commission.

The commission’s deliberations focused on which criteria to include in a draft report. Several members voiced strong support for architectural criteria, saying the building is a notable example of Georgian Revival school architecture and citing distinctive features such as its arched entry groupings and fenestration pattern. "I'm a strong yes on criteria number 3," said Commissioner (S7), citing the building’s proportions and entry treatments. Commissioners also noted later additions were sympathetic to the original design.

Members raised questions about whether the school’s name alone creates a direct physical association with Frances Willard (the basis for certain cultural-association criteria). Commissioner Matthew Johnson’s written comment — read into the record — said the link between the name and the building’s physical fabric "seems tenuous" but that architectural and setting evidence could support designation. Commission staff and members agreed to research period sources (Sanborn maps, district deeds, historic newspapers and available blueprints) to clarify the naming history and the development of the grounds.

On the question of integrity, staff pointed out that the building’s original volume and plan survive and that the most evident alteration is replacement glazing; commissioners said openings and fenestration patterns remain intact even where the original window sashes have been replaced. "I think it has sufficient integrity, of at least of definitely of location," said Commissioner (S2).

After discussion, Commissioner (S2) moved that staff prepare a draft landmark designation report for Willard School (2700 Heard Avenue; Pres‑0120) citing Criteria A: 3, 4, 6, 9 and 10 and finding sufficient integrity under B. Chair (S1) seconded the motion. The commission voted unanimously to direct staff to draft the report for public review and a formal commission vote within the ordinance’s 70‑day timeline; that draft will then be transmitted to city council if adopted.

The presentation materials, Weber said, drew on District 65’s recent property assessment, newspaper archives, and correspondence (including a recent letter from the WCTU). He also reported submitting a FOIA request to the district for original blueprints but receiving no plans to date. Commissioners asked staff to include findings about which physical elements constitute significant, contributing, and noncontributing features so future reviews can be consistent.

The commission adjourned after thanking Weber for the nomination. The next procedural step is the staff-prepared draft report, which the commission expects to review publicly before taking a formal recommendation vote and sending its recommendation to the city council.