Lake Forest Preservation Foundation

10/14/2026

Thank you to the City of Lake Forest for sharing the story behind this weekend's Lake Forest Preservation Symposium!

As LFPF and Ragdale each celebrate 50 years, we're coming together to explore what preservation means for our communities--and where we go from here.

Join us October 16-18 for thought-provoking conversations, workshops, and tour. We're excited to share this weekend with you!

10/13/2026

Friday Oct 16: Join us at a Ragdale, with a featured presentation by celebrated art historian and author, Giovanni Aloi & preservation workshops.

Help us celebrate Ragdale and LFPF’s shared 50th anniversaries. And because every anniversary deserves a good gift, check out the Ragdale Blue (duh) planters that we gifted to our great friends over at Ragdale. Per image 2, these were original to the property.

LINK IN BIO TO REGISTER for this event, and explore all programming this weekend.

10/09/2026

Sunday, October 18 — House Tours & Community Heritage Day

Sometimes the best way to understand history is to step inside it.

On Sunday, the Preservation Symposium moves from conversation to experience with special house tours offering a closer look at Lake Forest architecture, stewardship, and design.

The day includes significant historic residences associated with David Adler, including the William E. Clow Jr. House and Innisfail II, along with the Handy Green House and a contemporary new-build example.

Together, the homes offer an opportunity to see preservation firsthand — from architectural details and historic fabric to the choices involved in adapting, maintaining, and building within a community known for its architectural character.

Sunday's events are for you if…
you love architecture, historic houses, interiors, design, or simply want the rare opportunity to experience some of Lake Forest’s exceptional residential architecture up close.

📍 Lake Forest
🗓 Sunday, October 18

Reserve your place for Sunday’s house tours here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lf-preservation-symposium-community-heritage-day-tickets-1994233706700?aff=erelpanelorg

10/08/2026

Saturday, October 17 — Preservation in Conversation

Who decides what is worth preserving — and how do we protect a sense of place as our communities continue to change?

On Saturday, the Preservation Symposium turns to the bigger questions.

Preservation in Conversation brings together architects, historians, journalists, preservation leaders, and civic voices for a full day of discussion at Lake Forest College.

Across four sessions, speakers will explore:
- What makes Lake Forest distinctive — and why preservation matters
- The work and legacy of architects including Howard Van Doren Shaw, David Adler, and Stanley Anderson
- Who shapes the preservation of our cities
- How preservation can respond to change while protecting the spirit of place

The day features an extraordinary group of speakers and moderators, including Adrian Smith, Carol Ross Barney, Lee Bey, Blair Kamin, Geoffrey Baer, Lynn Osmond, Bill Kurtis, and many more.

Saturday's discussions are for you if…
you’re interested in architecture, history, planning, design, civic life, or the future of the places we inherit and shape.

You don’t need to be a preservation professional to join the conversation — just curious about why places matter.

📍 Lake Forest College
🗓 Saturday, October 17

Register for Saturday here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lf-preservation-symposium-main-symposium-day-tickets-1994232544223?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

10/07/2026

Friday, October 16 — Ragdale: Talks, Workshops & Tours

Do you own a historic home — or have you ever wondered what it actually takes to care for one?

Friday’s Preservation Symposium programming at Ragdale is designed for homeowners, design professionals, realtors, builders, and anyone curious about the practical side of preservation.

The afternoon includes free open house featuring workshops, demonstrations, and tours across the Ragdale campus.

Attendees can learn more about topics including historic-home tax incentives, Lake Forest’s preservation review process, historic districts, windows and roofing, and the everyday decisions involved in caring for older properties — all while exploring one of Lake Forest’s most significant historic sites.

The Ragdale tours & workshops are for you if…
you own or work with a historic property, are considering restoration or renovation, or simply want a better understanding of how preservation works in practice.

📍 Ragdale
🗓 Friday, October 16
🕒 Workshops, demonstrations & Discovery Tours: 3–5 PM

Register for Friday’s programming here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lf-preservation-symposium-open-house-workshops-tickets-1994230436920?aff=erelpanelorg

10/02/2026

What will we be talking about at the Preservation Symposium?

On Saturday, October 17, the conversation moves to Lake Forest College for four sessions exploring the past, present, and future of preservation.

We’ll begin close to home—asking what makes Lake Forest distinctive and looking at the architectural legacy of Howard Van Doren Shaw, David Adler, and Stanley Anderson—before widening the conversation to larger questions about preservation, progress, and the future of our cities.

The day also includes a campus lunch stroll and book signings, followed by an architectural tour of Howard Van Doren Shaw’s Market Square.

Saturday, October 17 · 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
Lake Forest College

Full program & registration at LFPF.org/events

10/01/2026

Yesterday, we joined the City of Lake Forest to celebrate the reopening of the Lake & Woodbine Bridge! 🌿

After more than a decade of planning, the City has replaced the aging bridge with a safer, more reliable structure designed to echo the architectural character of the original 1912 bridge.

Congratulations to the City on a job well done! We’re proud to have collaborated on a project that gives this Lake Forest landmark a new chapter.

09/26/2026

09/25/2026

A Sunday afternoon in the greenhouse at Innisfail II 🌿

This intimate brunch was one of the experiences auctioned at LFPF’s 50th anniversary fundraising gala in June. Adrian and Nancy Smith welcomed guests to the historic David Adler–designed estate they have restored, for a gathering in the charming greenhouse.

Our thanks to Adrian and Nancy for sharing this remarkable place, to Froggy’s for the brunch, The Gilded Aisle for the custom table scape, Flowers by KH for the beautiful bouquet, and to the guests whose support of the gala helps further LFPF’s preservation work.