The Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois – also known as Landmarks Illinois – is a

not-for-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

founded in 1971 to prevent the demolition of the

Dankmar Adler Dankmar Adler (July 3, 1844 – April 16, 1900) was a German-born American architect and civil engineer. He is best known for his fifteen-year partnership with Louis Sullivan, during which they designed influential skyscrapers that boldly addr ...

and

Louis Sullivan Louis Henry Sullivan (September 3, 1856 – April 14, 1924) was an American architect, and has been called a "father of skyscrapers" and "father of modernism". He was an influential architect of the Chicago School, a mentor to Frank Lloy ...

designed

Chicago Stock Exchange Building NYSE Chicago, formerly known as the Chicago Stock Exchange (CHX), is a stock exchange in Chicago, Illinois, US. The exchange is a national securities exchange and self-regulatory organization, which operates under the oversight of the U.S. Se ...

. Although this effort failed the organization has grown to become a 2000-member statewide voice for historic preservation. The founding mission was "to stop the demolition of significant buildings in downtown Chicago." The LPCI has broadened its scope and geography "to embrace architecturally and historically significant archeological sites, structures, and historic districts in all the cities, towns and rural areas of Illinois." Today LPCI holds conservation easements on 341 properties. Among the historic buildings they have saved are the Marquette Building and the

Reliance Building The Reliance Building is a skyscraper located at 1 W. Washington Street in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois. The first floor and basement were designed by John Root of the Burnham and Root architectural firm in 1890, with the rest of t ...

. Landmarks Illinois was involved in a highly publicized preservation effort to save Mies van der Rohe's

Farnsworth House The Edith Farnsworth House, formerly the Farnsworth House, is a historical house designed and constructed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe between 1945 and 1951. The house was constructed as a one-room weekend retreat in a rural setting in Plano, Il ...

from being dismantled and relocated from its original site along the Fox River. Modern architecture enthusiasts from around the globe answered the call to donate funds, and the house was purchased at auction from Sotheby's on December 12, 2003. A rare example of freestanding single family design by van der Rohe, the house is now operated by Landmarks Illinois and open to the public for tours. In addition to preserving buildings, Landmarks Illinois has since 2007 also held an annual gala to acknowledge "Legendary Landmarks", described as "citizens who have made contributions to the civic and cultural life of Chicago and Illinois."

References

External links

Official Website
Non-profit organizations based in Illinois Historic preservation organizations in the United States {{architecture-org-stub