Preserving historyWhat a pleasant change from the stories you hear about fraternities completely demolishing their chapter houses.
Formal efforts to preserve the Stephenson House began in the early 1970s. Illinois Sen. Sam Vadalabene, D-Edwardsville, introduced legislation to make it a state historic site. It was passed by the General Assembly but vetoed by the governor.
The Rev. Stephen Weissman bought the home in 1975. He successfully applied to have it placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It also was named an Edwardsville landmark.
The last owner was Sigma Phi Epsilon, a fraternity at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Members occupied the home for 17 years, displaying giant Greek letters above the front door.
The fraternity installed a community shower room, painted walls bright gold and purple and covered floors with a hodgepodge of carpet and linoleum but didn't do serious damage.
"I think the thing that surprised all (the Friends) is how good the fraternity was about taking care of this house," Denny said. "They really deserve some credit."
By the late '90s, the Stephenson House needed major repairs. The fraternity sought help from the Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission, renewing concerns in the community.
In 1998, Illinois Sen. Evelyn Bowles, D-Edwardsville, helped the city get a $500,000 grant through the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The following year, the city purchased the home for $150,000 and hired an architect to get the restoration ball rolling.
An earlier Blog entry.
A related story: Belleville News-Democrat | 02/19/2006 | Stephenson House timeline
