Social visionary N.O. Nelson founded the village of Leclaire in 1890, naming it after Edme Jean Leclaire, who inaugurated profit sharing in France. In contrast to unsanitary urban tenement districts, Leclaire was a model cooperative village offering affordable homes, a healthful environment, free education, many opportunities for recreation and self improvement, and pleasant working conditions at the N. O. Nelson Manufacturing Company. Leclaire was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
What's Happening
Second Annual Leclaire Yard Sale
The Leclaire neighborhood yard sale is back! Homes all across the historic district will set up shop on Saturday, May 18 from 8:00 till 2:00. As in the past look for the green and blue signs along Troy Road directing you to multiple sale sites. This year's yard sales will feature antiques, furniture, children’s clothing, toys, bikes, tents, housewares, tools, books, and much more. For a full list of participating homes, and corresponding sale highlights, please visit our event page and download the pdf.
Parkfest Vendor Applications Now Available
Non-profit community groups or individual artisans and crafters are welcome to apply for vendor space at the 23rd annual Leclaire Parkfest. This year's event will be held on Sunday, October 20th. For more information on Parkfest and to obtain a vendor application please visit our Event's Page.
Leclaire District Subject of Grant
Friends of Leclaire has received exciting news today on a historic research project to take place in the neighborhood this spring. The Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission has been awarded a grant through the U.S. Department of the Interior for survey and research activities in the Leclaire National Historic District. Edwardsville was one of 13 Illinois communities and one county to be awarded a grant for historic research and restoration work.
“This is an exciting time for the City of Edwardsville and the Leclaire neighborhood; this grant provides an opportunity to engage residents in continuing and enhancing the story of Leclaire,” said Will Krause, Chairman of the Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission. “Edwardsville was one of the only communities in Southern Illinois to be awarded this type of grant and it shows an acknowledgment of the unique history that is present in the Leclaire Historic District.”
Leclaire was initially named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, but since then more information has been collected to provide a broader understanding of the neighborhood’s development. The grant still must be accepted by the City of Edwardsville and will be administered through the Preservation Commission. An independent research consultant will be hired to perform survey work in the district and update the Federal registry.
Again Will Krause, “There are over 400 homes in Leclaire, each one with a unique history. This grant provides us the resources to go out and collect those stories. We can find out when a home was built and by who, which homes are architecturally significant, and trace the patterns of development throughout the neighborhood. This sets the framework for other projects in the future such as forming an integrated preservation plan.”
We will keep you posted on the developments of the grant and let you know when work begins. For more information read the Governor's Press Relase:Grants Awarded to Local Governments for Historic Preservation Projects.
Merchandise
Make a statement! Purchasing our merchandise lets the world know you support the goals of Friends of Leclaire. All proceeds from memberships, contributions, and merchandise support the historical and educational efforts of Friends of Leclaire.
If you have questions or would like to place an order:
Call (618) 656-1294
E-mail friends@historic-leclaire.org
