Unity Temple awarded 80K grant for visitor center improvements

Unity Temple in Oak Park was one of four area non-profits to receive a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, a federal agency, during a presentation by Rep. Danny Davis (D-Chicago) and institute staff at the Field Museum Aug. 31.

“The Museums for America grant addresses the variety of ways museums continue to contribute and better their communities,” said Marsha Semmel, the institute’s deputy director of museum services.

The temple, which has been named one of the 11 most endangered historic places in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will receive $82,852 to upgrade its visitor services.

Unity Temple will spend the funds to improve its Web site, print brochures in nine different languages, develop and record an audio tour and staff the site during the weekend, said Emily Roth, Unity Temple Restoration Foundation executive director.

This was the first year Unity Temple applied for the grant and the staff is looking forward to beginning the improvement process as soon as possible.

“This grant goes to the heart and soul of what we do,” Roth said. “Unity Temple is an important international treasure.”

Built in 1906 by Frank Lloyd Wright, Unity Temple will celebrate its centennial with a gala Sept. 26. With that comes a renewed commitment to restore and preserve the building. It is estimated that it will require $20 to $25 million to make the necessary repairs.

“We are excited that the ILMS recognizes the potential and importance of this building,” Roth said.

Other grant recipients included The Field Museum, which was awarded $119,803 for securing DNA-rich animal tissue samples in the museum’s new cryogenics storage facility as well as The Chicago Architecture Foundation, which was awarded $106,224 for developing and piloting a docent-training program in five Chicago neighborhoods and the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Gallery 400, which received $82,356, to support its arts exhibition space.

For more information on the Unity Temple, go to
www.unitytemple-utrf.org.

By Elizabeth Vassolo | Triblocal.com reporter

Photo caption: Danny Davis, left, Emily Roth, Unity Temple Restoration Foundation executive director, Anne-Imelda Radice, IMLS director and Marsha Semmel IMLS deputy director of museum services presented Unity Temple with its grant.