Roger and Ruth Anderson Architecture Center

Since saving Immanuel Hall from demolition, the Hinsdale Historical Society has been planning a special resource center to be housed on its lower level.  With the generous support of the family of Roger Anderson, the dream has come true. 

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National Landmark Available For Community Use

Hinsdale's first national landmark, Immanuel Hall, has been restored and will remain a symbol of the community-wide effort to save the 108-year-old building from demolition.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 5, the public will have the chance to tour the recently rehabbed building, which can be used for such community purposes as hosting meetings, benefits or functions for a small fee. "There's no question it's a special property," said resident Bob Saigh, who also is a member of the Hinsdale Historical Society and a past board member.

Roger and Ruth Anderson Architecture Center

January, 2008

While finalizing finish carpentry and furnishings for the Center’s new home at Immanuel Hall, offsite projects have also moved forward. Our website, www.hinsdalearchitecture.org, has been designed and released – thanks to Advisory Board member and public relations specialist, Cindy Klima. Check out the local architecture section! These segments will also appear in The Hinsdalean as part of a series on Hinsdale architecture that the paper has agreed to run as an educational service. Thanks to board member Bruce Ritter for designing the format for these...while simultaneously working on our logo!

Roger and Ruth Anderson Architecture Center

September, 2007

To insure that the Roger and Ruth Anderson Architecture Center meets the expectations of the community, an interest survey was prepared, based on a recent similar study by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. This survey was distributed in May, 2007 as in insert to the Historical Society Newsletter and village-wide via an insert in The Hinsdalean newspaper. Results from sixty respondents revealed that local architecture held the primary interest level (83%), followed by historic preservation (69%) and landscape architecture (67%). Program interest was highest in walking or driving tours (84%), followed by advocacy for community building projects (73%) and preservation assistance and resources (73%). We will use this information to tailor our future community programming. Thanks to all who participated!

Roger and Ruth Anderson Architecture Center

March, 2007

Discovering Hinsdale’s Architecture

Rich Johnson has a passion. Professionally, he serves as broadcast manager for Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Privately, he hunts Prairie-style homes. With plans to author a book on Prairie homes in the suburbs, Johnson spends every available minute researching architects and their commissions. His field work brought him to Hinsdale, and to the Society’s Roger and Ruth Anderson Architecture Center.

Roger and Ruth Anderson Architecture Center Announces Advisory Board

• Ruth Anderson, benefactor and long-time Hinsdale resident;
• Frank Gonzalez, of Klein & Hoffman, senior architect;
• Cindy Klima, of CWK Management Services, public relations and marketing specialist;
• Cheryl Margason, former school administrator and Preservation Commission member;
• Richard Olsen, of GO Design, architect;
• Linda and Bruce Ritter, of Tiburon Homes, design and construction professionals;
• Sandy Williams, former Historical Society president, trustee and archives chairman;
• Carson Yeager, of the Northern Trust, banking executive and former Hinsdale Historical Society trustee.

"I’m proud to have been asked to be a part of this unique resource," architect Richard Olsen stated. "Hinsdale has a rich architectural history History that we need to preserve and honor. Today’s architecture will become a part of that history and the Anderson Architecture Center allows us to embrace both the past and current construction. It’s exciting to be a part of this creative group."