Marine Chapter House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Marine Chapter House
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Comprehensive view from north-northwest
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Silver St., Marine, Illinois |
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| Area | 1.1 acres (0.45 ha) |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Helfensteller, Hirsch and Watson |
| Architectural style | Prairie School |
| MPS | American Woman's League Chapter Houses TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001397 |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1980 |
The Marine Chapter House is a special old building in Marine, Illinois. It was built over 100 years ago, between 1909 and 1910. This building was made to be a meeting place for a group called the American Woman's League.
After the group stopped meeting there, the building became a library. Today, it is recognized as an important historical site.
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What is the Marine Chapter House?
The Marine Chapter House is a historic building. It stands on Silver Street in the town of Marine, Illinois. It was built as a "chapter house." This means it was a special meeting spot for a local branch, or "chapter," of a larger organization.
A Place for Important Meetings
This building was home to the Marine chapter of the American Woman's League. This group was active in the early 1900s. It was a place where members could gather and work together.
From Club to Library
After the American Woman's League chapter closed, the building found a new purpose. It was turned into a library. This allowed the community to continue using this historic space.
The American Woman's League
The American Woman's League was an important group. It was started in 1908 by a magazine publisher named Edward Gardner Lewis. This organization had big goals for women in America.
Working for Women's Rights
The League wanted to help women in many ways. A main goal was to support women's rights. They especially worked for women to get the right to vote. This movement was called "women's suffrage." At that time, women could not vote in most elections.
A Network of Chapter Houses
Edward Gardner Lewis wanted the League to have many meeting places. He hired architects to design special buildings for these groups. These buildings were called chapter houses. The Marine Chapter House was one of these special designs. It was made for clubs with 30 to 60 members.
A Special Building Style
The Marine Chapter House has a unique look. It was designed in a style called "Prairie School." This style was popular in the early 1900s.
What is Prairie School Style?
Prairie School buildings often have flat or low-pitched roofs. They also have wide, overhanging eaves. These buildings usually have open floor plans inside. They are designed to fit well with the flat landscapes of the American Midwest. The Marine Chapter House cost about $1,200 to build.
A Recognized Historic Place
The Marine Chapter House is officially recognized as a historic site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1980.
Why is it Important?
Being on the National Register means the building is important to American history. It is one of only nine American Woman's League chapter houses in Illinois on this list. This shows its value in telling the story of women's history and architecture.
