Joining us in Cairo will take you not to the land of pyramids and ancient tombs, but rather to the southernmost tip of Illinois – a place steeped in US history. Cairo (pronounced "kay-ro") was headquarters for General Grant at the beginning of the Civil War, was the central hub for steamboat traffic, was known for its blues musicians, saw intense civil rights activity, and was for many years the economic and cultural center for the region. It also has an incredible array of historic architecture. In the past 50 years, Cairo has suffered tremendously from the economic depression that plagues the region and could become a ghost town, with historic buildings lining deserted streets, if action is not taken.
In 2009, a coalition comprised of the Cairo VISION 20-20 Committee; the School of Architecture and the Department of History at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; Cairo Chamber of Commerce; the City of Cairo; Landmarks Illinois; Ray Black & Son, Inc.; AmeriCorps Vista; SIDEZ; and AiP (formerly HCN) came together to begin a project aimed at restoring some of the city’s historic shotgun houses for quality affordable housing. These houses are just some of over 200 properties in Cairo listed on or being evaluated for inclusion in the Cairo Historic district and listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This coalition will continue to work together in 2010 in the hope that the Shotgun Preservation Project will provide a spark for new business, increase tourism, and even bring new residents to this historic town.
After a successful workshop in June 2009, followed by two additional months of hard work by students and faculty from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale under the direction of Robert Swenson, Associate Professor and architect, the exterior restoration of the shotgun house on Sycamore Street is near completion. With that strong start, expectations are high for 2010. AiP is using this momentum to bring more volunteers, sponsors, community involvement and energy to Cairo in 2010 to continue the repair and restoration of vacant historic shotgun-style houses for use as affordable housing.
Project:
The 2009 project house was purchased by the City of Cairo and when completed will initially serve as an office for the Cairo Chamber of Commerce. A key feature in the office will be a display with photographs illustrating the hands-on preservation process and text explaining the benefits of creating affordable housing from existing houses built of high quality materials and still sound even after years of neglect.
The 2010 workshop will provide training and experience in a variety of building conservation techniques used in the restoration of a wood frame structure covered with wood siding and detailing. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and try their hand at such tasks as the repair and re-glazing of historic wood windows; repair and replication of deteriorated wood detailing; assessment of potential structural problems; and much more.
The house restored during the 2010 workshop will be available for purchase as affordable housing, a process that is currently being developed with the City of Cairo and project partners.
For more information go to http://www.heritageconservation.net/ws-cairo-2010.htm