Founder's Day Event Planned for Plainfield

The Village Preservation Association is partnering with the Plainfield Historical Society, the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Riverfront Foundation to host a Founder's Day event at 6:30 p.m. May 22, in the 1868 Universalist Church, more recently known as Baci Ristorante, 24018 W. Lockport Street

Plainfield's first Founder's Day event was in 2002. The tradition continued until 2010; this year, organizers are bringing it back.

The event, which will take place during Preservation Month, is aimed at recognizing and distinguishing individuals in Plainfield who have helped promote historic preservation through advocacy for specific buildings, as well as policies to support preservation.

The organizations are also looking for award nominees for several awards: 

• The Lorin Burdick Builder’s Award is presented in recognition of the restoration or renovation and continued maintenance of a historic home in the Plainfield, Illinois. The award was named in honor of Mr. Burdick, one of Plainfield’s early settlers, having arrived in 1836 and credited with the construction of many of the early houses and churches in the village. He also built the first bridge over the DuPage River. 
• The Hagar & Sargent Proprietor’s Award is presented in recognition of a businessperson who has preserved a historic building for commercial purposes in the Plainfield community. This award is named in honor of Jonathan Hagar andSamuel Sargent, two early Plainfield settlers credited with operating the first business in the village. 
• The Chester Ingersoll Heritage Award is presented in recognition of continued dedication towards the preservation of the oral and written history of the Plainfield,Illinois community. This award is named in honor of Chester Ingersoll, who platted the original town of Plainfield in 1834 and set aside the Village Green as a permanent public space the following year. 
• The James Walker Pioneer Award is presented in recognition of volunteer efforts toward the preservation of one or more buildings in the Plainfield, Illinois community. James Walker, a native from Tennessee, organized a small settlement in 1828, where Reverend Jessie Walker joined him just south of present-day Plainfield. JamesWalker established a horse-powered sawmill and later built a sawmill and grist mill along the DuPage River, providing two important early services to settlers in the region.