Peggy Frank
by Julie DuffinWith an eye to the future and a passion for the past, Peggy Frank has been preserving and celebrating Naperville’s history for 31 years. As the executive director for the Naperville Historical Society and Naper Settlement, Peggy helps keep our city’s rich history alive.
After attending college and working on the east coast, Peggy returned to her Chicago roots in 1979 when she accepted her dream job at the Naperville Heritage Society. She had hoped to find a position that enabled her to work with volunteers, be outdoors, and preserve American history. Frank admits, “I never imagined I’d find all I was looking for—right here in Naperville.”
Frank exudes enthusiasm as she discusses the relevance of Naperville’s past. From its earliest beginnings to the present time, Naperville’s ideals have remained the same. “The underlying core values that Joseph Naper established are what continue to attract people to Naperville today,” Frank explains. Joseph Naper placed a high importance on education, economic vitality, quality of life, transportation and religious freedom.
Naperville’s zeal for celebration and philanthropy also stems from its past. “We are a community that improves itself by helping others,” says Frank. Entrepreneurial spirit is another common thread from our past. “Naperville doesn’t stay stagnant. As the world grows and changes, so do we,” Frank explains. “Throughout its 150-year history, people have come to Naperville seeking the
same thing—the American dream.”
The Naperville Heritage Society
After 41 years, the Naperville Heritage Society is as strong as ever. Formed in 1969, the Heritage Society was created when a group of concerned residents came together to save an historic Civil War-era church. Thanks to their hard work, the church was moved to what is now known as Naper Settlement. This beautiful, 12-acre, living-history museum brings a unique awareness of history by transporting visitors back in time. Here, the Heritage Society continues to bring alive the stories of the past by preserving historic structures and artifacts. In addition to the events hosted at Naper Settlement, the Heritage Society also helps residents preserve their own piece of Naperville history by providing historic home and business owners with wooden plaques commemorating when a structure was built and by whom. The Heritage Society also offers guided walking tours through historic areas in May, as well as self-guided tour maps on its website.
A Vision for the Future
The new millennium brought new vision for the Naperville Heritage Society. After conducting several community focus groups, the Heritage Society expanded its mission to preserve Naperville’s history up to current times. “The community’s feedback was to collect, preserve, and tell our stories up to present day,” explains Peggy. “Changes from World War II forward put Naperville on the global map. It’s an important story, not to be overlooked,” Frank reminds us. “The reality is this: even yesterday is our history.”
The Heritage Society’s 30-year vision also includes documenting the town’s commercial history. “We won’t overlook our agricultural foundation,” explains Frank. However, they will now incorporate the story of Naperville’s growth as it went from essentially a one-company town to its current role in the high-tech corridor.
A key aspect to the Heritage Society’s plan is recreating a historic downtown Naperville building called “Scott’s Block” at Naper Settlement. In addition to reconstructing its second-floor meeting space, Frank envisions such amenities as a bakery and bike rental store. When the Heritage Society’s vision is complete, Naper Settlement will be able to showcase the town’s first 200 years.
To see how our town has grown and changed gives us a deeper understanding about who we are today. Frank’s enthusiasm for linking the past to the present is contagious; whether you are a fourth-generation resident or new to Naperville, Frank truly makes feel you
are a part of this city’s history.
Naperville Settlement
Naper Settlement is administered by the Naperville Heritage Society and is the only accredited outdoor history museum in Illinois.
523 S. Webster Street
630.420.6010
www.napersettlement.museum
August Special Events
Heritage Hall of Honor
August 1, 2 to 4 p.m.
Come celebrate with the honorees as they are inducted into the Naperville Heritage Society’s Heritage Hall of Honor. Presentation is open to the public at no charge.
Settlement Sundays
August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Make your own ice cream sundae with all the toppings! Enjoy family time in the village during the lazy, hazy days of summer. Free sundae with admission.
