"When we build, let us think that we build forever."
~John Ruskin, c.1890
About the Gifford Park Association
The Gifford Park Association is the parent organization of the Historic Elgin House Tour, it is a nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing Elgin’s historic neighborhoods through programs, projects and educational outreach. It is a three-time recipient of an Elgin Image Award for its positive promotion of the city and a four-time recipient of a Mayor’s Award for its work in preservation and neighborhood rehabilitation. Originally a small group of neighbors working to get its east side Elgin neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places, GPA has grown to include members from all parts of Elgin as well as surrounding towns. And it prides itself on being a network for old-house lovers, bringing them together... not only for the Historic Elgin House Tour but for potlucks and porch parties, rehab seminars and work projects–to share experiences, contacts and often even tools. For a detailed listing of how GPA invests its time, talent and money visit gpaelgin.org.
Pride in the neighborhood
Almost all homeowners have some degree of pride in their homes, but when you start seeing people take pride in their neighborhood then something bigger is starting to happen. Pride in your neighbor's home, as well as your own is one of the building blocks for creating a sense of of place and community. Since 1981, the Gifford Park Association's Historic Elgin House Tour has been - among other things - an attempt to create those building blocks.
GPA's efforts have been joined by other neighborhood groups. Together we have showcased hundreds of homes, scores of city blocks, and dozens of neighborhoods. We have demonstrated how preservation, rehabilitation, and good stewardship help create desirable neighborhoods. We have inspired people to repair, maintain, and restore older homes - to retrieve these houses from neglect and the teeth of time. We have also celebrated homes that have always been lovingly cared for, homes that are examples of good design, and those that are the products of skillful tradesman and thoughtful ownership.
Photo at left: Bill Briska leads a class from Channing Elementary on an architectural scavenger hunt in the Elgin Historic District
Community
The success of the house tour begins with pride in the homes, but it goes much further. House tours bring people together. The collective volunteer effort needed to stage a tour helps create a shared sense of purpose. Attending a tour is also a shared experience between volunteers and tour goers. Tours demonstrate to the neighbors that something special is going on here. The neighborhoods featured by tours contribute to our collective understanding of the city. The proceeds from the tour strengthen our grassroots organizations and fund many other projects. House tours build a sense of place and community that no amount of tax dollars can buy.
