Community Corner

Historical Society Wants to Save Stupey Cabin

Fundraising campaign hopes to preserve Highland Park's oldest standing structure.

The below is a press release from the Highland Park Historical Society.

The Highland Park Historical Society is spearheading a community-wide fundraising effort to “Save the Stupey Cabin.”

A family-friendly picnic on June 2 will kick-off the fundraising effort, which will continue through the summer. From noon to 3 p.m., attendees are invited to the lawn in front of the cabin located in Laurel Park, on St. Johns Avenue between the and The picnic will include food and drinks, entertainment and of course a visit inside the cabin. No rain date is planned. 

Find out what's happening in Highland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Want Highland Park news in your inbox every morning? Subscribe to Patch's newsletter.

The timber cabin, built by the pioneer Francis Stupey in 1847, is Highland Park’s oldest standing structure. Exmoor Country Club donated the cabin to the Historical Society on the City of Highland Park’s Centennial in 1969 and it was moved to its current location next to City Hall. The cabin is in need of significant preservation work due to deterioration of the wood timbers, and landscaping work is needed to channel rainwater away from the cabin foundation. The proposed restoration work will insure the Cabin’s existence for future generations. The funds raised will be used to repair and maintain the cabin and re-institute programming.   

Find out what's happening in Highland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Future plans for the cabin include re-opening the cabin for tours on weekends, planting a historical vegetable garden, programs for students and adults about pioneers in Highland Park, and display of period tools, household items and Native American artifacts.

“It is our hope that the cabin will be an active, educational site for Highland Park residents," said Rob Rotering, President of the Highland Park Historical Society. "We are excited to be working with District 112 schools to reinstitute local history as part of the elementary school curriculum, and the Stupey Cabin provides a focal point for learning about the Native Americans and the Early Pioneers in Highland Park."

The Highland Park Historical Society owns and maintains the cabin. In the past the Highland Park Historical Society opened the cabin to the public on weekends and for schools and other groups.

Former Mayor Ray Geraci, who was part of the original group that moved the Cabin to its current location in 1969, has agreed to join the new fundraising drive.  “For more than 165 years, the cabin has been an important part of Highland Park’s History. We want to make sure it stays that way,” said Geraci.  

Donations can be made to the Highland Park Historical Society by calling 847-432-7090.

For more news and updates, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here