The Nineteenth Century Club is in line for a “facelift.” The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association is looking to appeal to friends, supporters and the community to help support a two-year, $200,000 giving campaign, titled “Facelift for the Future 2019.”
According to the organization, the campaign is the final part of a three-phase effort to finance the restoration of The Nineteenth Century Club. This time, it involves the first-floor lounge and north and south dining rooms.
The organization’s website states that the Nineteenth Century Club was established in 1891 by “women who believed that education, charitable activities, and civic involvement were vital elements in a thriving community,” adding that the building, located at 178 Forest Ave., was constructed in 1928.
“When you have a 90-plus-year-old building, there’s going to need to be improvements, upgrades, repairs, and maintenance on a local historic landmark,” Jeanne Schultz Angel, executive director to The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association.
Schultz Angel said the two-year campaign began in October, adding that the effort is about one-third of the way to the goal.
“Our membership is behind this, and we believe the project will help us better serve the community,” Schultz Angel said.
Schultz Angel added, “We’re a significant percentage along in the goal to go ahead and commence the work.”
According to the organization, the founding members raised money to construct a building in 1928 to house the organization and its activities. The sister organization to The Nineteenth Century Club, The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, was created.
“We function like a humanities center,” Schultz Angel said. “We offer programs; we offer activities; we offer networking. We give scholarships to Oak Park and River Forest High School students. … We give space to not-for-profits in the form of space-sharing and space grants. We’re really important to the community anchor here.”
A special committee has been assigned to plan the giving campaign. Schultz Angel said the project is a huge undertaking for the organization. On its website, the organization notes that The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association and its efforts are privately funded and receive no public tax dollars.
“We began the effort in late October 2018, and it is a two-year campaign,” Schultz Angel said. “Our campaign goal is $200,000, and we are one-third on the way to that goal.
Officials said The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association intends to recognize all donors and update the donor wall. For information, visit nineteenthcentury.org.