GivingTuesday a rousing success

The W.A. McConnell Foundation set a goal of $4,000 to replace a critical corner support of "Olde No. 90" and you responded. Thank you!!!!!

WAMF continues to chip away at improvements to its 1844 Charles G. Cotting House. Richmond’s oldest building, known as Olde No. 90, was purchased in 2022 with the financial backing of our members.

Thanks the generosity of our members – in particular, a large donation from Nancy Buchert – we surpassed our goal!

Our small, but mighty, volunteer-run nonprofit preserving the historic character of the greater Richmond-Spring Grove area, was formed in 2021. We already have:

Documented and preserved key architectural details of the former Solon Mills depot-turned-restaurant prior to its demolition.
Raised awareness of the original McConnell Farmstead on Broadway Road and the endangered George Street bridge, both now listed among Landmarks Illinois’ “10 Most Endangered” sites.

If you would like to help, consider joining our ranks.

Become a Member of WAMF

McConnell Farmstead among state's Most Endangered sites

Landmarks Illinois has announced the 2025 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. The list calls attention to 10 culturally and architecturally significant sites across the state that face growing threats of disinvestment and demolition.

Find the full info here: https://www.landmarks.org/preservation-programs/most-endangered-historic-places-in-illinois/w-a-mcconnell-farmstead-2025/

The McHenry County Conservation District continues working on its Forward to 2040 Comprehensive Conservation Plan with a Vision to 2071. This plan will guide the district for the next decade ... and beyond.

To assist in this process, MCCD and the McHenry County Conservation Foundation enlisted the services of Upland Design, Ltd. and its planning team. The technical advisory group, community stakeholder group meetings and public open house events will begin following the holidays.

Anyone is welcome to attend the public open house events. Event dates will be published on the district's website, online and and in Landscapes. For updates, visit MCCD.me/Forward2040.

Upcoming open houses are scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 18 and March 4. The first will be at the Lost Valley Visitor Center in Ringwood. The second will be McHenry County College.

Thank You

Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to save Richmond's oldest standing building, Old No. 90, built by Charles Cotting around 1844. Initial preservation plans include stabilization of the foundation, as water along the sidewalk has caused detioration and movement.

Richmond, Illinois

A wooden bridge. A bonafide historic Main Street. An original farmstead. A life-giving creek. Working farms and silos. An oak tree. Centuries-old resting places marking those who have gone before us.

When pioneer William McConnell set his gaze upon the North branch of the Nippersink Creek after travelling from Pennsyvania, he quickly knew this was the place he wanted to call home and start his family. McConnell slept under an oak tree that first night. A carpenter by trade, he soon built a small log cabin next to the shallow winding creek, laid claim to a plot of land, and shortly thereafter married Elizabeth Bodine. While raising three sons, McConnell acted as postmaster, commissioner, and judge, along with founding the Richmond Bank and several other businesses. William McConnell was a prominent and busy man, but he always found time to give back to his community.

William McConnell passed away in 1887, but his legacy lives on in our community and in the original mid-19th century relics sprinkled in and around the town. Our quaint, unique village is known throughout the region for its historic buildings, unique character, and quaint charm not found in most other suburban Illinois towns. Mention Richmond to a friend, and you’ll likely hear a story about a special purchase at an antique store, a sweet treat from Anderson’s Candy Shoppe, or the old-timey charm of historic buildings that line Main Street.

The W.A. McConnell Foundation strives to honor the legacy that Richmond was built upon long ago. We invite you to join us in preserving and celebrating Richmond’s unique heritage.

Because the path to the future is paved by our past.

We're Growing!

Together we can accomplish great things, but only if we are willing to get educated about the history of the Richmond/Spring Grove area. Those wishing to learn more about the foundation and its activities can sign up for our monthly newsletter HERE.

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