To celebrate Illinois’ bicentennial year throughout 2018, Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® (MORe) chose four local organizations to support for their bicentennial legacy project. Partnering with DuPage County Historical Museum, Waukegan Historical Society, South Suburban Genealogical Society, and Arlington Heights Historical Museum, the projects focused on building improvements and a website redesign to help  with the preservation of local history.  

Here is how MORe’s projects promoted local history:  

DuPage County Historical Museum – MORe’s contributions to the DuPage County Historical Museum helped protect museum artifacts and documents from environmental damage. MORe’s gift replaced inefficient and harsh lighting with modern LED lighting to better preserve the museum’s collection while saving energy.  

Waukegan Historical Society – MORe worked with the Waukegan Historical Society to install UV-protective windows throughout the historical house. The new windows will control the museum’s internal temperature to ensure that all artifacts remain in the best possible condition.  

South Suburban Genealogical Society – MORe’s gift to the South Suburban Genealogical Society gave them the resources they needed to redesign their outdated website. The new site has a fresh, modern look, and improved accessibility and ease-of-use for all website visitors.  

Arlington Heights Historical Museum – MORe contributed to a restoration project at the historic soda factory owned by the Arlington Heights Historical Museum. MORe’s donation was used to replace flooring on the second floor of the factory and to preserve local real estate records for future reference and study.   

“MORe’s legacy projects celebrate our history and shed some light on the good work that REALTORS® can accomplish when we work together,” said Amy Robey, Mainstreet’s Vice President of Marketing & Communications. 

REALTORS® across the state worked with heart in their communities to complete projects like this to commemorate the Illinois Bicentennial. The project is one of more than 35 legacy projects supported by local REALTOR® associations.  

Projects included fundraising for local historic home improvements and community murals or promoting local historical properties and societies. Illinois REALTORS® donated land in downtown Springfield next to its headquarters and built Bicentennial Plaza – a REALTOR® Community Partnership, which is a signature project of the state bicentennial celebrations.  

The association was an official endorsed partner with the Illinois Bicentennial Commission, which oversaw the state’s plans for the milestone birthday that was celebrated on December 3, 2018. Learn more.