June 2023
THE KENNICOTT HOUSE SIGNATURE WALL GETS A MAKEOVER
PARK VIEWS
June 2023
Restoration at The Grove
THE KENNICOTT HOUSE SIGNATURE WALL GETS A MAKEOVER
The Grove is full of little-known secrets and surprises , one of which is its hidden “ signature wall ”. Shortly after the Kennicott House was built in 1856 , friends , family and other visitors were invited to sign their names on a wall outside of Dr . John ’ s medical office . Some of the signers included : Mr . Harold Hinde , an early schoolmaster for the Kennicott children dating back to 1852 ; Leigh Reilly , son of Alice Kennicott and editor of the Chicago Evening Post , signed in 1879 ; And Agnes Redfield , Cora Kennicott ’ s daughter , signed in
1873 , while her own daughter , Cora Brenton , signed in 1906 .
The Grove Heritage Association has pledged to fund the conservation and protection of the signature wall at The Grove . Despite a Plexiglas cover installed in the 1990s , moisture , sunlight and the ravages of time have taken their toll on the wall . Many historic signatures have disappeared , and others are faded beyond recognition . Moisture has caused the siding and trim to rot , and the entire wall and its rich history are now in danger of being lost .
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