Built in 1893, the PWC clubhouse has opened its doors to over 125 years of people and organizations. As the first lecture and music hall of Peoria, we hope to reopen the doors to the theater and continue the carry out the founding mission to secure the “educational, industrial, and social advancement of women.”
In 2019, members of Peoria Women’s Club partnered with an architectural and engineering firm, with expertise in historic preservation, as well as a general contractor, to plan and assess the feasibility of undertaking a $4 million restoration project on its historic headquarters. They helped create a Master Plan, which addressed potential costs and prioritized the order of work for each stage of the project. In the slideshow, you’ll see conceptual renderings of the Theater, First Floor, and Exterior Entrances done by the Farnsworth Group.
Spearheaded by Vicki Hordesky and her Restoration committee, the $4 million building restoration includes the renovation of the first floor parlor, dining room, president’s room, bathrooms, and kitchen. It also includes the complete renovation of the 432 seat theater on the second floor and the addition of an elevator and improvement of the 2 outdoor entrances.
Project 1 - Exterior
Project 1 – Exterior
✓ Completed: August 2022
Exterior improvements, including a new roof, restored windows, and brick tuckpointing, were all designed to improve the exterior’s appearance and protect the building from weather-related damage.
Project 2 - Dining, Foyer, Parlor, and President’s Room Restoration and Restroom remodel
✓ Completed: September 2023
The second project focused on our first floor, restoring rooms to their original design and remodeling the existing bathrooms. The floors were sanded and stained, the walls painted, new overhead lights were added, and new fire alarm systems were installed on both building levels. The bathrooms were completely remodeled and brought up to code.
Project 3 – Exterior Entrance
✓ Completed: June 2024
The third project focuses on our exterior entrance on Fayette. This exterior entrance, including the original wrought iron gate and steps, will be refinished and repaired—a Daughters of the American Revolution grant was obtained to restore the ironwork.
Project 4 – Electrical & Water Service Upgrade & HVAC Installation
Anticipated Completion: H.E.R. Grant from National Parks Service Received, In Planning Stage
These projects are essential for compliance with municipal codes and utility company standards. These projects will pave the way for other urgent renovations, including installing an elevator, updating the kitchen, adding a sprinkler system and rehabilitating the second-floor music hall.
Project 5 – Commissary Kitchen & Pantry
Anticipated Completion: TBA
Upon update of the kitchen and pantry, we plan to develop a commissary kitchen for women-owned food service businesses and community partners wanting to provide educational opportunities.
Project 6 - ADA Ramp and Entry Door Restoration
Anticipated Completion: TBA
The main project in this phase will add a ramp to allow for ADA access to our building. These projects will also restore the doors and entrances to the building.
Projects 7-10 – Theatre Updates & Revitalization
Anticipated Completion: TBA
Closed to the public for more than 50 years, the second floor theatre will see a revitalization of the space and improvements to bring the theatre back to life, including a sprinkler system, secondary egress, and an elevator on the North side of the building.
We offer immense gratitude to Kim Blickenstaff and KDB Group LLC for their generosity in donating $1.5 million towards the restoration of our building.
Awarded $750,000 to PWC through the Historic Preservation Fund‘s History of Equal Rights grant program, which focuses on the preservation of sites directly associated with the struggle for all Americans to gain equal rights.
The City of Peoria provided us a $50,000 exterior improvement grant which helped with the tuckpointing of the building.
Provided funding for the original wrought-iron gate on the Fayette St entrance to the clubhouse.
A leading architectural and engineering firm, the Farnsworth Group is our project consultant for the restoration project.
A respected construction company, CORE Construction serves as our general contractor and conducts the bidding process on behalf of PWC for all work requiring a contractor.
A family owned restoration corporation, Heritage was responsible for painting the first floor, adding the new stenciling, and repairing existing plaster.
Restoring a 125+ year old building can’t be done without support from businesses, individuals, and nonprofits like yourself. With your donation, you help preserve a historic landmark in the city of Peoria and ensure future generations can enjoy all that the clubhouse has to offer the community.
