Nauvoo Historic Residences Restoration
- Preservation Architecture
- Cultural
- Adaptive Reuse
- Building Envelope
- Sustainable
As a part of the implementation of the Nauvoo Master Plan, the restoration of the Temple District was completed through the restoration of the Weeks, Hyde, and Gheen historic residences, the reconstruction of the Hunter Residence on its historic foundation, and substantial site restoration to more closely match the historic blocks and alley configuration. The project also included the design of a new heavy timber exhibit pavilion – the Jones Pavilion. McGuire Igleski led the restoration, peeling back decades of alterations and rebuilding each site to reflect the original character when constructed in the mid-1800s. Archival, photographic, and archeological evidence guided McGuire Igleski through the restoration of the properties to their period of significance.
New exhibits at the residences educate visitors on the history of pioneer life in Illinois and the unique role historic Nauvoo played in the settlement of the Latter-day Saints community. Not visible were the full and discrete museum-quality MEP upgrades to the sites, including a new geothermal system. Today, the site functions as an outdoor museum and draws more than 100,000 tourists annually, as well as hundreds of missionaries.
Sites include Weeks Home, Hunter Home, Hyde Home, Gheen Home and Jones Pavillion.
Photos: Leslie Schwartz Photography
Nauvoo, Illinois
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
20 acres, 5 Sites
Architectural Consulting Engineers
The Structural Group
CYLA Design Associates
RTM Engineering Consultants
Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Restoration
Historic Nauvoo is one of the key historic sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The city, incorporated in 1840, was the expansion of the former community of Commerce, Illinois, by the coordinated efforts of Latter-day Saints working under the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith and other Church leaders. The City of Nauvoo was declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1961. As the final gathering place during the Ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith, it preserves and shares both the restoration of key temple covenants, ordinances, and other eternal truths, as well as the largest, longest, and most comprehensive effort to build a Zion community.