The
Gurler House:
The
Composition and Structure of Dekalb’s Historic Site[1]
By Amando
Boncales[2]
I-Introduction
Historical
landmarks throughout the country provide all citizens with a physical, present
experience of our history. Through these landmarks you can not only observe but
in many cases feel the original work and walk the spaces of the past.
Historical homes help us remember important persons as we can view intimately
how they lived; we get to see the most sacred of spaces, their internal
sanctum, and their home. Where did they read at night for inspiration, where
did they write that novel, where did they meet the important guests and
characters in their lives? All of these things we can glimpse through seeing
history preserved in rock and mortar. Historical homes also allow us to
visualize and experience architecture, culture, events and community history.
They help tell the story of how our town and communities came to be and
developed.[3]
There are
many ways that historic preservation impacts the community and the quality of
life for residents in the state. For example, there are a number of historic
houses throughout the state, many of which have received government grant
funding for rehabilitation to provide for their continued existence,
continuity, and preservation.
Scope and Limitation of the Study
This
project seeks to examine and study the extent and scope of the Gurler House’s
importance to the Dekalb community in particular and to the State of Illinois
Objectives
The
objectives of this study are:
v
To analyze the approaches used by the association
for encouraging public use, participation, and awareness of the house; and
v
To assist the impact of the historic site to the
community.
Methodology
In
gathering data, the researcher tailored two types of questions. The first one
is designed for the Gurler House Administrators insider’s point of view, and
the second one is for the community members of Dekalb.
The first type of data
gathering tool is a guide questioner. Its intended purpose is to see the
administrator’s point of view regarding the historic house. Since it is a guide
only, it is not a structured tool. The objective of the design is to extract
data from the insiders in a way they want to input, since their insights are material
to the study.
The second tool is a
structured questionnaire, designed is to see the community members’ point of
view regarding the historic house. This structured tool is in most of the time
a “yes” and “no” question format followed by explanations.
The qualified
respondent must meet the basic requirements in order to take the survey. For
the administrators, they should be currently holding the position as Board
Member of the Association. In this way, the researcher assumed that the
administrators’ response would relate the current state of the Gurler House
Association and the historic house. For the community members, they should be a
current resident of Dekalb and have heard of the existence of the Gurler House.
Their being a resident of Dekalb would give the researcher insights on how to
assist the impact of the historic house to the community and the socio-civic
consciousness of the people.
Respondents
Among the administrators the
researcher had the opportunity to interview, she was the founder of the Gurler
House Association, Helen Merritt. The lady-founder was a professor in the College of Art
at Northern Illinois University
With the
community members, the researcher distributed 50 questionnaires, one to each
respondent. Out of the 50, only 40
respondents returned their responses. The reasons for those who did not return
are; a) no time to answer b) lost the questionnaire and c) realized later that
they do not want to give a response.
It was a challenge for
the researcher in distributing the questionnaire, especially with convincing
respondents. It took more time in gathering data than analyzing the output of
the survey. Most of the prospect respondents did not have time for the survey.
For those who had time, the certification issued by Professor Helen Nagata, the
instructor for Introduction to Museum Studies or the ART 465 course, helped
give them more background on the nature and scope of the survey.
Among the 40
respondents who returned the questionnaire, 16 of them opted not to indicate
their name and the remaining 24 indicated either first name, last name or both,
in addition to the other data concerning socio-demographic profile. Notable
among the respondents was no less than the concurrent mayor of the city of
Dekalb, Frank Van Buer Ph.D, 73 years old upon the conduct of this survey.
II-The Gurler House Association
The
Association meets regularly to receive reports from its officers on the physical
condition of the House and grounds and their use by community groups. At such
times the Board also plans for future maintenance and organizes events relevant
to the heritage of DeKalb. In the spirit of DeKalb's pioneer past the
Association also makes its facilities available to community groups whose
activities in its judgment foster community stability and well-being. The
Association also publishes a series of monographs entitled The Gurler
Chronicles and other works which describe aspects of life in DeKalb.[4]
The
mission of the Gurler Heritage Association is to foster appreciation of
DeKalb's historic heritage by preserving, maintaining, and encouraging public
use of the George Gurler House at 205
Pine Street DeKalb , Illinois
III-Historical Background
The George H. Gurler House or simply, the Gurler
House, is a home in the DeKalb County, Illinois city of DeKalb.
The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
to which it was added in 1979. The home was built in 1857 and was occupied by
members of George H. Gurler's extended family as early as
1888. Gurler was the co-founder of the Gurler Brothers Creamery. Gurler
was also the president of the DeKalb County Farmer's Institute, the predecessor
of the American Farm Bureau Federation.[5]
The Gurler House was constructed in 1857, not by George
Gurler or any member of the Gurler clan but supposedly by a man from Sycamore
known as Mr. Wyman. George Gurler would not purchase the home until years later.
The assertion that Wyman constructed the home and sold it to the Gurlers was
also stated by Beatrice "Bea" Gurler in an interview with the Daily Chronicle in DeKalb. However,
according to the property abstract this is simply not true.[6]
According to that document the Gurler House, as it
eventually would become known, began its history as an 80 acre tract of land
sold by the U.S. Illinois Illinois
in June 1838 with his wife Lavinia where he has been credited with naming St. Charles
In 1846 the family sold the 80 acres in DeKalb (then
known as Huntley's Grove) to Russell
Huntley, a founding settler of DeKalb. Huntley, with his brother
Lewis, co-owned the property until 1851 when an entry in the abstract indicates
that John M. Goodell, another early DeKalb settler,
received the land as a result of legal action against the Huntleys. Regardless,
Goodell eventually sold the parcel back to Lewis Huntley
in 1853. Huntley then platted the land as an addition to the town. He laid out
93 city lots in all.[8]
The property that would eventually become the Gurler
House was sold to the man who would eventually construct the home which would
become the Gurler House, Ellzey P. Young, in 1857. Young along with his
wife Alida Young (who was the younger sister of Isaac Ellwood)
paid Huntley $320 for the three lots that make up the property where the Gurler
House stands today. This entry on the property abstract confirms the widely
held and long standing belief that the house was constructed in 1857. There is,
however, another possibility.[9]
If the second possibility were true it would mean that
the Gurler House is one year younger than it is tradionally thought to be,
being built in 1858 instead of 1857. Records show that Young took out a mortgage
on the land for $537 in February 1858. It is thought that this money could have
given the Youngs enough cash to build the Gurler House over a more humble home
such as a log cabin.
The Family
Henry and
George were both prominent businessmen, joint owners of a number of dairies. So
clean were the Gurler Brother's creameries, so pure the milk that came from
them, that a raw sample sent to the Paris Exposition of 1900 was still fresh
and sweet after a trip of ten days on the ocean and for four days beyond![10]
Henry had
perfected his sanitation techniques over decades of hard work and
experimentation. A progressive dairyman with the quality of his product and the
well-being of its consumers uppermost in his mind, Henry Gurler recognized the
need for absolutely pure milk. In the burgeoning metropolis of Chicago
After
1896, when the Gurler brothers dissolved their partnership, Henry set up
departments for research and instruction in dairying in several universities
and wrote two books on the subject. He became nationally known. George
meanwhile became President of the State Dairy Association and Vice President of
the Board of Trade in Elgin
George
Gurler was known for other pursuits as well. A lifelong sportsman and hunter,
he was deeply interested in the preservation of the prairie's legacy of wild
game. His collection of stuffed prairie fowl and other native animals
enlightened local college biology students for years after his death. Having
enlisted at the age of 17 in the 15th Illinois Infantry of the Grand Army of
the Republic to fight in the Civil War, George had the earned the right to ride
his white horse in town parades. In the years just before the United State 's
entrance into the Second World War, George was the last survivor of the Civil
War in DeKalb County
George
and Henry Gurler had come to Illinois
IV-Findings and Analysis
A. Community awareness of the existence of the Gurler House.
The Gurler House is viewed as part of Dekalb’s
history and heritage by many of the community members. They were able to visit
it one or two times a year. It has various activities during the year. Some of
them visited the house through meetings, and others for volunteer work (raked the
leaves). Respondents living near the vicinity of the house have volunteered as
a service project at the site. Long time residents of the city, particularly
the descendants of the pioneer settlers in the county, knew very well the
historic significance of the place. Some of them were know about the descendant
(Bea) of the Gurler family who lived in the house.
The regular socio-cultural activities in the house
made the public more aware of the importance of the place. During a house
activity, dinnertime made one of the respondents appreciate the old house,
especially in the “Old Dinning Room” part. Connections and referrals (through
immediate family members and relatives) by people who were and are connected
with the house are vital in letting the public now about the house. Older
respondents (80 years old and above) had in fact made some acquaintances and/or
knew Bea Gurler, the last direct descendant who took permanent residence in the
house.
The proximity of the Gurler House site to downtown
Dekalb makes its visible to the community. The respondents see the house every
day sinse they live downtown. Others,
because of their interest in the city’s culture, history, and heritage, go to
the house several times a year.
Although some of the community members have lived
in Dekalb for their “entire lives,” as one of the respondents said, some of
them had only heard of it, or others but not visited on numerous occasions.
B. Community’s knowledge about the Gurler Family
“Pure milk to Chicago Northern Illinois
University
Aside from the milk industry, in which the family
was known, it was also known for their familial connection with the Ellwood’s.
Mea Gurler was married to Perry Ellwood, the mother of Isaac, Patty, and John
Ellwood. Some of the respondents noted that the family is also related to the
barbed wire tycoon in Dekalb, since the Ellwoods are known for the mass
production of it. Also, because they were pioneers in the area (actually belong
to the second wave of migration in the region), the relatively long history of
Dekalb and the development of Northern Illinois University are linked to them
(aside from the Ellwoods who are instrumental for the establishment of the
teacher’s collage which later became Northern Illinois University). Hence, the
long residency of the Gurlers in Dekalb and their role of being pioneer settlers
helped them become icons in the city’s culture and heritage.
C. Community’s perceived purpose about the Gurler House.
As a landmark in Dekalb, distant community member
are planning to visit the next open house activity as a field trip. A lot
indicated their interest in attending the “Folk Music Festival” in the summer.
Though at present, the house is well noted for its socio-cultural activities,
many still considered the historical significant of the house and intend to
revisit one day. Furthermore, the appeal of activities such as the fest is the
main attraction to many.
The community’s interest in history made them
curious about the purpose of the historic house. Like any other historic site,
it reminded the people of the past, and gave them social identity (as pioneer
settlers of the area). The various socio-cultural activities of the house every
year are well noted. Aside from being a historic place, the willingness of the
house to accommodate social gatherings, weddings, concerts, community outreaches,
information drives, and a place for community organizations to meet, are the
features that the community know about. The house is also considered a place
for field trips, especially for students in grade and high schools.
The preservation of the house keeps Dekalb’s
history and serves the community. People are expecting that the association
(the Gurler House Association) would host “Folk Music Fest” yearly.
D. Gurler House’s visibility in the community
E. Interesting facts or information about the Gurler House that
fascinates the community.
The “pure milk” and the family’s milk preservation
efforts fascinate the respondents who know about the Gurlers. Second to this is
the family’s connection to the Ellwood Family (maybe because the latter is well
known too) and being prominent dairy farmers. Again socio-civic activities,
like Christmas parties are among the interests the community. The architectural
style of the house, being a “Greek revival style is noticeable.” The next is
the social concern and involvement of Prof. Helen Merritt, Professor Emeritus
of the School of Art
in Northern Illinois University
As innovative dairy farmers, the Gurler family won
gold and silver awards in a dairy competition in Paris
F. The socio-civic activities organized by Gurler House.
Music in the lawn (the Folk Music Fest), Spring
Plant Sale, weddings and other social events are being held in the house. Among
these the Folk Music Fest is well noted by many of the respondents.
The Folk Music Fest is the number one in the list.
A lot of community members both young and old like it. For the community, the
fest became a tradition (though it was started just years ago). The respondents
repeatedly wrote down the Blue Grass band as their favorite performer.
Secondly, is the Christmas holiday concert was
noted very well by the younger respondents. The third is the club meetings. The
fourth is the Art Show, and the fifth is the open-house. However, not all of
the respondents are aware of these activities, and others never heard of any
activities going on in the house.
Public participation is as diverse as the house
activities. Some of the respondents have dinners with the caretakers, showing
only the house accessibility to the public. Social gatherings such as weddings
are well visited events. Seeing the musician face-to-face provides excitement
for concert goers.
Most of the respondents prefer being an observer or
part of an audience. Furthermore, others spend time volunteering or serving
drinks and “good stuff like ice cream” during the Mid-Summer Eve program in the
1990’s.
G. Community’s participation in the Gurler House.
A few of the respondents showed interest in
volunteering in the house activity. One respondent is pleased to volunteer (so
that she will learn more about the historical significance of the house) with
the different activities, and even proposed teaching yoga class. Some believe
that they will volunteer later in life, while some need encouragement to do it.
However, most of the respondents did not consider
volunteering because they (a) have health reasons, (b) live away from the site
(c) have committed to volunteer for other organizations, and (d) very busy and
don’t have time.
A number of the community members stated that that
they donated to the cause of the association. Some of them send in membership
money every year. Others have the intention in doing it, but they would like to
know more about the mission of the association before giving money.
Volunteering is another way of helping the
association,” I would be happy to donate, I can offer time and energy though”
said one respondent. Other respondents need persuasion to volunteer.
Though few
of them, but still, some respondents indicated their reluctance to help because
(a) they have already committed to donate to other organizations, (b) no spare
resources at this time, (c) a student and do not have extra money, and (d) do
not know about the association are donating to the church.
H. The Gurle House as a historic site.
The aura of the old house is considered an
historical laboratory. Most of the respondents “feel like in another time.”
This is so because of its beautiful brick road and big trees surrounding the
old house. The spacious lawn is also in plain sight; it is quaint, giving the
old house simple and homey character.
The garden is “cute,” said one younger respondent.
The yard is amazing from the outside and “very pleasant” to the eye. It has a
well maintained structure that “adds to the neighborhood,” aside from its
historic value.
The response is very varied in terms of the likes
of the respondents. The big lawn is the
most well noted, and also to include the white porches. The house is plain and
simple in appearance on the inside and has a farm house look on the outside.
The white porch of the house is an architectural imprint of the time.
These are the well noted features: (a) the narrow
staircase up stairs, (b) the fireplace, (c) the book collection, (d) the
furniture, (e) plank floor, (f) the front door entry, (g) the nice garden, and
(h) the ginger bread torch. Given the time it was built (1856) and a few
remodeling of the house, its still maintain its “Greek revival
architecture.”
I. The Gurler House as a socio-civic place.
They like the house because the cost is low to hold
some meetings. The location and its homey like atmosphere is relaxing. The historic beauty is always mentioned by the
community members. The good location helps to maintain the purpose of the
Gurler House. However, the space is always a consideration for the people who
intend to hold meetings in the place.
The house is a good place to take an out-of-town
guest. Community members enjoy the fact that it has been maintained. For them
showing the Gurler House would mean “showing the city’s rich history.”
J. The Gurler House both a socio-civic place and an historic site
The Objective of the association, e.g. preservation
of the city’s culture and heritage, made the house more interesting, aside from
its historic value. The socio-cultural activities held regularly made the place
more interesting. By doing these activities, it reminded the people how
important it is to maintain the history of the community. However, there is a
need to incorporate the house activities to other activities in the city and to
the local schools.
Though the house is appreciated in its current
historic significance, the house is often overlooked in Dekalb’s history.
People know more about the Ellwoods (the barb wire family) than the Gurlers.
The house is unique (old and attractive), but respondent wants more (display)
in the house. However, the façade (green trees and mature trees) of the
historic house encouraged some of the respondentsto do the same in their
respective areas.
All of the respondents considered the house a
historic place and aesthetically appealing. For them, its long existence as a
house, media exposures, service to community, and the good image it contributes
to the city are proof that the house is worth preserving as one of the icons in
the city’s historic places.
K. The Gurler House and the city’s heritage and history
The fact that the house was saved by the community,
it has social, cultural, and historical significance to the city. It is a reminder
of how long Dekalb has been in existence and its very simple beginnings. In
addition, the city and the county have lost so many other interesting
buildings; hence, there is a need to preserve it. Besides Northern
Illinois University ,
the historic house is an add-on to Dekalb
City
L. The Gurler House and the Association
The association should work on its visibility to
the public. A significant number of the respondents indicated that the
association should use other avenues to inform the public on the existence of
the house and its activities. Only the immediate community members, especially
the neighborhood, knew about the Gurler House, and the vast majority, like new
residents, students, staff and faculty in the university do not know about the
house at all.
Most of these vast majority members of the city do
not know about it since they have not been in the house. Obviously, information
drive (in any form) is needed to advance the mission, vision, goals, and
objective of the Gurler House.
V-Suggestions and Recommendations
There is a need to put more lights outside of the
house. There are not enough parking spaces for the visitors. Signage needs
improvement; it should contain a description of the Historic House. The signage
is too small that people often overlook the place. The house needs to put
plenty of flowers during summer season.
Also, there is a need to advertise the mission of the
association and the socio cultural activities that the house annually puts on,
because significant number of the respondents believed that “not a lot of
people in the community know where or what Gurler House is.” The relatively
newcomers, students, faculty and staff of the university and new residents of
the area need information about the house. By knowing Dekalb’s history, it
would surely help these new people to understand the cultural fabric of the
area, a side from the fact that they constitute the bulk number of the
community, hence, helpful to them.
There is also a need to put some dairy character
(meaning “insignia,” “accent,” “memorabilia,” or other things related to the
family and to the society they lived) in the house, since the Gurlers are dairy
farmers. The dairy character will not only give proper historical perspective
to the City’s past, but also to the State of Illinois
[1] A survey research paper presented to
Prof. Helen Nagata, School of Art Northern Illinois University. In Partial
Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course ART 465-Introduction to Museum
Studies.
[2] He is
taking his graduate studies at History Department, Northern Illinois
University, USA. His fields of interest are Public History (Museum Studies), US
Foreign Policy and Peace and Security in Southeast.
[3]
http://www.homecheck.com/Reference/Nov_05/05Vol1Art6/index.htm
[4]
http://www.bios.niu.edu/gurler/heritage.htm
[5]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurler_House
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid
[9] Ibid.
[10] Condensed by the researcher from
http://www.bios.niu.edu/gurler/history.htm
