‘We want this to be a gateway to Quincy’: History Museum on the Square breaks ground on ADA-compliant expansion

QUINCY — The Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County broke ground on the addition to the History Museum on the Square Tuesday morning. The project calls for a ground-level entrance, elevator, accessible restrooms on the second floor, increased gathering space, new egress stairs and general ADA upgrades. It is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and public donations. 

Arts Quincy Executive Director Laura Sievert Hesseltine said the strong bond between Arts Quincy and HSQAC made this happen. 

“The partnership between Arts Quincy and HSQAC that secured the $1.5 million to get the project off the ground is a testament to how we can work together to make sure our area competes for big state grants,” she said. “We’re so pleased that these funds will support local jobs and improve and expand the iconic corner at Fourth and Maine.”  

“The project is for modernity for today’s patrons,” project engineer Will Klingner said. “It will improve functionality and improve security and be more attractive to the general public.” 

The building, constructed in 1888, faces multiple barriers for people with mobility issues. Guests must choose between two steep exterior stairways to enter the History Museum because it currently has no ground-floor entrance. The second-floor exhibit space can only be reached by climbing a 24-step grand staircase. 

Only two restrooms serve the entire building — one in the basement, one on the main floor — and neither is ADA-compliant. HSQAC Executive Director Rob Mellon said the ADA compliance part of the construction is important for everyone to feel welcome. 

“There will be a ground floor entrance and an elevator to every floor,” said Mellon. “It’s going to open up the building like it hasn’t been.” 

A press release from the Historical Society says phase one is the 3,700-square-foot addition on the building’s west side, along with a roof replacement over the Ernest Wood addition and general ADA upgrades.

Phase 2 is moving the Lincoln Gallery, now in the Visitor’s Center at the John Wood Mansion, to the museum while also renovating the remaining 980 square feet of the existing Ernest Wood Addition.

“We want this to be a gateway to Quincy,” Mellon said. “The museum is vital to our ability to fulfill our mission and tell our part of the American story.” 

The final phase will be additional renovations and expanded support areas.

The HSQAC is accepting donations and must raise an additional $2 million to complete the first two phases of the project. According to a press release, Arts Quincy submitted a construction grant application to the State of Illinois and received $1.5 million in 2020. At that time, the grant would have covered approximately 75 percent of the larger construction project. However, those funds were not released to HSQAC until 2023. At the time of the HSQAC’s last full cost estimate in 2022, it covered only 59 percent.

Klingner and Associates are the architects for the projects. Waterkotte Construction, Inc. is the contractor. 

Pledges may be made by contacting the HSQAC at 217-222-1835. The online donation link is https://square.link/u/9iq9slCp