The Gifford Park Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the Elgin Historic District. The GPA is perhaps most well-known to the general public for the annual Historic Elgin House Tour. Other major projects that we do during the year are Architectural Salvages , problem property rehabs, and The Great Unveiling.
The
purposes of GPA are:
·
To preserve the integrity of the Elgin Historic District
(comprising Gifford Park, the City of Elgin's first neighborhood
and park.).
·
To undertake educational efforts, enhancing appreciation
and development of pride in the architectural and design
heritage of the City of Elgin.
·
To provide public educational tours, workshops, materials
and technical assistance on preservation and design and
to assist other not-for-profit community agencies in their
building restoration efforts, utilizing our members and
volunteers from the community.To engage in projects involving
preservation and beautification that enhance the visual
appearance and heritage of the neighborhoods and the City
of Elgin and helps build Elgin's spirit of community.
·
To support programs that serve children and youth and
that contribute to the well being of the City and its
neighborhoods.
·
To encourage and support through contributed expertise
and volunteer time:
-
Quality community planning through the development of
appropriate plans and codes, and their implementation
and;
- Public capital and beautification projects to enhance
the neighborhoods and the City of Elgin.
Through
programs, projects, and educational outreach, GPA will
serve to showcase our neighborhoods and the city of Elgin
to its citizens and to others within the Chicago metropolitan
region, and the State of Illinois and Midwest.
GPA General Membership meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Old Elgin High School at 355 E. Chicago Street at 7 p.m. Room 239 or 240. General Membership meetings are open to the public. Non-members (and future
members) are welcome!
April and August meetings are potluck dinners and December's meeting is the GPA Christmas party (different dates and locations for these three months). Call or e-mail Alicia Lykins at (847) 622-8447 for information on membership.
