Let's make it a historic GivingTuesday in 2025

The W.A. McConnell Foundation is a volunteer-run nonprofit preserving the historic character of the greater Richmond area, from its earliest settlements to its distinctive 19th-century downtowns. Your support helps protect the places that tell our story for generations to come.

Founded in 2021, this small but determined group has already:

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.
Saved Richmond’s oldest building by purchasing the 1844 Charles G. Cotting House, known as Olde No. 90. Made structural repairs and applied a sorely needed coat of paint!

The next urgent step in repairing Olde No. 90 is replacing a critical corner support that has deteriorated with age. Materials and labor are estimated to cost $4,000. Your gift can close that gap and keep this landmark standing.

Please consider donating to the W.A. McConnell Foundation as part of this year’s GivingTuesday campaign. The GivingTuesday global movement, which occurs on Dec. 2 this year, invites people to “do good” in their own communities through donations, volunteering, and advocacy.

Give for History (click)

Every dollar given to the McConnell Foundation goes directly to preservation work and advocacy in the Richmond-Spring Grove area. We are your friends, your neighbors, working to preserve and promote local history. Please consider a gift to support this important work.

Happy Holidays and thank you!

W.A. McConnell Foundation Board of Directors

McConnell Farmstead Among State's 2025 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/

Adam Metz

President, W.A. McConnell Foundation

“The 1868 McConnell Homestead is a prime example of how Chicago’s first farmers settled on hilltop oak savannas loaded with springs for drinking water and a flowing creek to power their mills. Now that voters have approved funding for the farm’s owner, the McHenry County Conservation District, there is a new opportunity to preserve this homestead. We can showcase history, architecture and 19th-century culture on a historic entry to Richmond, which is itself a preservation diamond in the rough. Better yet, the McConnell Homestead lies at the entrance to the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge—another preservation success in Richmond.”

Wooden Bridge Named as Top Endangered Site

On May 4, 2023, Richmond's Wooden Bridge was named as one of the 2023 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois by Landmarks Illinois! This designation is well-deserved and, we hope, will help to secure proper maintenance and preservation of this iconic community landmark.

Find the full info here: www.landmarks.org/preservation-programs/most-endangered-historic-places-in-illinois/

What are some ways you can help?

Talk to our local decision makers
Think of any connections you have to trades professionals
Keep your eyes out for available grants
Make a donation
Send us your favorite memories or historic photos
Educate others on the bridge's historical significance
Follow us on Facebook!

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.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse