In This Issue

Are You a Member?
Are you a member of Canal Corridor Association?  If not, consider joining today.  Memberships begin at just $35 per year, with discounts for multi-year memberships. Your gift will provide both fun CCA member benefits AND help build an exciting future for a region that brings to life a rich and vibrant past. Membership forms are available online.

If you are a member, thank you.  Please let us know if there is anything we can do to improve the membership experience.

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Volunteers Wanted
Here's a great volunteer opportunity for fans of the Gaylord Building. We're looking for people to help staff the front desk. Its a great opportunity to share your love of this historic site with visitors. Hours are flexible. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Pat Chinderle, 815.588.1100, or pchinderle@canalcor.org.

Send Us Your News!
If you have an event, activity or brief news item you would like to see in eNews, please email us at enews@canalcor.org.

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Canal Corridor Association is a membership organization that preserves history, protects nature and open space, and creates destinations where people can learn and have fun in the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, from Lake Michigan in Chicago to the Illinois River in LaSalle/Peru. It enhances, raises awareness of and expands the parks, trails, landscape and historic sites that make the I&M Canal region a special place. CCA manages the Gaylord Building, a National Trust Historic Site, in Lockport, Illinois. One of the oldest industrial buildings in the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, the Gaylord Building is a model of adaptive reuse, featuring the Public Landing restaurant, canal exhibits and more.

Patrick Smith, an Irish railroad worker from Joliet

CCA President's Note

Hello Everyone,

It's time for the Canal Corridor Association's 10th annual Canal Boat Captain's Benefit Luncheon, to be held Monday, April 25, at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.   The Canal Boat Captain's Award, which we will grant at the event, acknowledges those who demonstrate exemplary commitment to furthering the goals of the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor.

Join hundreds of fellow canal enthusiasts in recognizing this year's honoree: former Congressman William O. Lipinski.

The impact of the works of Congressman Lipinski extends well beyond the district he served for more than 20 years. The 450-square-mile Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor is one example.   While legislation creating the heritage corridor was supported by the entire Illinois delegation, Congressman Lipinski was able to shepherd the legislation out of committee and on its way toward passage.

Congressman Lipinski was a longtime force on the House Committee on Infrastructure and Transportation, formerly the Committee on Public Works and Transportation. As such, he played a critical role in passing two pieces of legislation that resulted in more than $20 million for improvements throughout the heritage corridor: the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, known s ISTEA, and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, or TEA-21.

Transportation funding became available for the first time for enhancements such as trails and historic preservation.   Canal locks were stabilized and restored.   The heritage corridor's trail system was expanded.   Each step contributed greatly to the evolution of a unique celebration of Illinois' role in the nation's transportation legacy.

The heritage corridor would be a very different place today were it not for Congressman William Lipinski.

Sincerely,

Ana B. Koval

President & CEO

The Irish and the I&M Canal

--Ron Vasile, CCA Historian

More than any other group, the Irish have come to be identified with the construction of the I&M Canal. Irishmen began arriving in northern Illinois in large numbers in 1836 to work on the canal. Some had experience digging the Erie and other eastern canals, while others were fresh off the boat from Ireland. All were seeking a measure of freedom and opportunity that were unknown in their native land. They were a hard-working bunch but some carried with them to America sectional rivalries from their homeland, and others had a fondness for alcohol and brawling.

The Irish migration intensified as a result of the Great Potato Famine of 1845-7, during which time the population of Ireland decreased by over two million people through death and emigration. After 1848 many Irish moved to the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago, where they worked in meat-packing plants and brickyards. Others settled in the rural heartland, and many turned to farming. Due in part to their religion, the Irish were the victims of extensive prejudice, with some places posting “No Irish need apply” signs. It took time but the Irish eventually became pillars of the community, making their mark as policemen, politicians, and priests.

Open Space Referenda on the April Ballot

Residents of Will and Kane Counties have an opportunity to help their Forest Preserve Districts prepare for the future.  Both counties will have referenda on the April 5th ballot asking voters to approve bond issues to purchase more land for permanent open space.

If approved by the voters, nearly 10,000 additional acres of land will be added to the forest preserves' holdings.  Kane County is seeking $75 million and Will County is seeking $95 million.  Most of the land purchases will be along streams to create greenways and connect forest preserves and other open spaces together.  Greenways are important for recreation, flood control, water quality improvement and wildlife habitat.

For more information, please contact Brook McDonald of the Conservation Foundation at 630.428.4500, ext 12 or bmcdonald@theconservationfoundation.org. You can also visit the campaign web sites at www.kaneopenspace.org or www.willopenspace.org.

Upcoming Events

Here is a sampling of events happening in the corridor.  For a more complete listing of winter and spring events, visit the eNews Calendar.  Don't see your event listed here?  Please send it to enews@canalcor.org.

Saturday, March 19--Cabin Fever Rummage Sale, Marseilles

If you want a jump on the rummage sale season, head to Marseilles' Union Hall on Saturday, March 19 from 8 am to 2 pm.  A donation of $1 or 2 non-perishable food items (for the local food bank) will get you in the door.  Proceeds will benefit the Marseilles Tourism and Park Committee, and their plans to build a skate park.  For further information call Colleen Grabow, 815.795.4585.

Sunday, March 20--"The Mansion Rocks", LaSalle
Enjoy exhibits on the Hegeler Carus family's role in Illinois metallurgy and mining, as well as general rock and mineral exhibits.  Noon to 4 pm at the Hegeler Carus Mansion and part of the “Flock to the Rock” winter celebration in the Starved Rock area.  Admission to the Outdoor mobile “Rock Box museum is free, while the indoor exhibit is $8.  For further information call 815.224.5892.

Sunday, March 20--Sunday Program Series, Starved Rock Visitors' Center, Utica

Steve Dancey, Curator for the Mendota Museum will do a program titled "Road to the Little Big Horn."  Learn about Illinois and LaSalle county residents involved in the battle.  Mr. Dancey will also speak on Hollywood’s misrepresentations of Native Americans.  All lectures in this on-going series begin at 1 pm, last about one hour and are free.  For further information call 815.667.4906.

Tuesday, March 22--"Lemont Women in History", Lemont Area Historical Society

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Lemont Area Historical Society will  host “Lemont Women in History” at their museum, 306 Lemont Street, beginning at 7:30 pm.  Four Lemont women, currently active in business, politics, public service and the arts will describe their unique careers and the motivation for choosing their particular career paths.  The museum is also featuring a photographic exhibit on Lemont women's history.  For further information call Susan Donahue, 630.257.2972 or 630.257.6140.

Wednesday-Sunday, March 30-April 3--National Association for Interpretation Region 5 Workshop, Utica

This year's workshop, titled "Rock Solid Interpretation:  a river of ideas," will take place at Starved Rock State Park.  Anybody involved in interpreting sites in the I&M Canal Corridor should mark their calendar for this event.  For further information visit the workshop website.