In September 2012, through close work with the Illinois Historic Preservation Commission, the McDonough County Historic Preservation Society was granted permission to list the Bailey House on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service.
The McDonough County Historic Preservation Society Board is pleased that the Bailey House is the third structure in the Macomb Historic District to receive this distinction, along with the McDonough County Courthouse and the Lamoine Hotel.
The Preservation Society Board would like to thank the many people who contributed through the past several decades to making this designation possible. In particular, we want to thank Josiah William Collins, who donated the home to the newly created McDonough County Historic Preservation Society and to the group of foresighted citizens who formed the first Preservation Society Board (Kent Slater, Roger Carmack, Kenneth Epperson, Jim Jacobsen, Judy Kerr, John McDonald, Esther Nielsen, and Mary Ewing).
We also recognize the work of Bob Fischer, Kent Slater, Charles Miller, John Hemingway, Amy Hathaway, Andrew Heckenkamp, Allen Nemec, Jeri Scott, Randy Powell, Dan Lewis, and Marty Fischer, who contributed to the development of the National Registry application.
In 2016 the Bailey House created a website at baileyhouse.jimdo.com in order to better publicize the event rental option of the Bailey House. The website details the rental information for the public.
Along with the website, a Facebook page was created www.facebook.com/BaileyHouseofMacomb
to share news and information about the Bailey House.
Please check out the website and Facebook page!
Fundraiser for the Bailey House
Like many historic structures, the Bailey House has required maintenance and tender loving care through its long life. Over the years, much has been done:
However, one area that has not been renovated is the heating and cooling plant. Considering the high cost of energy and the age of the system (30 years old) the Board feels it is necessary to replace the main floor's equipment. The estimated cost of the new heat pump is $6,000.
We ask for your assistance in making it possible to purchase a new heat pump.
Please send your donation to:
McDonough County Historic Preservation Society
PO Box 266
Macomb, IL 61455
Thank you for your support!