History found
Records of freed Va. slaves placed online
History possibly lost
(suburbanchicagonews.com) “A property once covered in unique objets d’art and so renowned even the Smithsonian Institution took notice now is slated for demolition.
Kane County officials this week took further steps toward tearing down the long-abandoned African-American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archives in Aurora Township by approving an application to the Circuit Court for demolition of ‘dangerous and/or unsafe building.’
‘This is the very beginning stage’ of the demolition process, said Mark VanKerkhoff of the county’s Development Department. It could be three to four months before the building actually is torn down, he said.
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Board member Bonnie Lee Kunkel, D-Aurora, said there may be some artworks of value on the property and urged county officials to visit the site with someone who has a background in art to determine if there is anything worth salvaging.”
Before abandoning the property, Smith sold part of his art collection to the Wisconsin-based Kohler Foundation, which distributed pieces to institutions around the country.
The County Board is expected to approve the demolition application request on Tuesday.
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