Kewanee Preservation Society

04/13/2026

Our little Type R boiler had a very busy weekend thanks to Joe & Tina Chamberlain. As you can see from the pictures it went from rags to riches in a couple days!!

We hope to really add some things this year to make this memorial something to be proud of. Stay tuned to more of our upcoming additions.

Kewanee Boilers are still in service all over the world and each one was produced right here in our town.

If you would like to donate to this project please contact the Kewanee Preservation Society.

04/11/2026

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Friends of Woodland Palace
Moving Forward With Repairs

The Friends of Woodland Palace (FOWP) have announced that they have signed their first contract to repair the aging home of Fred Francis. Oldeen Roofing Company from Kewanee will begin the needed repairs as soon as supplies and weather permits. “First, the roof structure will be rebuilt to make the building water-tight once again. Selecting a contractor that would have the best interests of the project was extremely important to FOWP. A third-generation Kewanee company, Oldeen Roofing, fits that requirement” stated Ray Jacobs, FOWP President.

Friends of Woodland Palace was formed in 2025 to help the City of Kewanee, which owns the house and 60 acre park 3 miles East of Kewanee. The Mission of the FOWP is to help maintain the house and educate the public about this historic structure. Fred Francis, the inventive genius, built the home and left it to the city when he passed in 1926. Known for his engineering skills, Fred’s house had innovations decades ahead of its time.

To restore the Palace, Friends of Woodland Palace volunteers are working with the city and historical architect David Leonatti of Springfield, Illinois. Over the last several months they have created a plan to bring the house back to its former self. Fundraising has been taking place over these many months to be able to begin the transformation.

It is planned to have the house open for the July 4th celebration that takes place at the park. Some areas may be off limits due to ongoing construction at the time.

Any individual or business interested in donation to the renovation may contact Sherry "TD" Welch at [email protected]. Donations can also be sent to the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce 113 E. 2nd St. Kewanee, IL 61443. Please make checks payable to Kewanee Preservation Society and mark your donation “Woodland Palace”. Visit the website, www.woodland-palace.com or the page “Woodland Palace at Francis Park” for updates and news.

04/05/2026

With many project meetings over the past few months, work will soon be happening at Woodland Palace. Watch for announcements in the next couple of weeks! And, if you would like to contribute to further restoration and maintenance of this historic structure, see the QR code at the top of our FB page. Or, you can send a check denoted as Woodland Palace to Kewanee Preservation Society, 113 E. Second St, Kewanee, IL 61443

04/02/2026

With Spring on our mind, we are looking to continue work on the Kewanee Boiler Workers Memorial. Hopefully the grass comes up, keep your eyes peeled for new fencing, and we have this portico. Some assembly required.

04/02/2026

Friends of Woodland Palace ( Woodland Palace at Francis Park) and Kewanee Preservation Society thank the Woman's Club for their continued support of the revitalization of Fred's home. In the 1970's, it was Rosemary Kuster and the Kewanee Woman's Club who spurred a movement to recognize Fred Francis and his Woodland Palace as the treasure it is. They worked to get it recognized as a historic structure and they made significant contributions to its preservation. We thank them for hosting this fundraiser for us and for the proceeds to further the restoration and maintenance.

Kewanee Woman's Club donates fundraiser profits to Woodland Palace restoration

The club also thanked the many businesses and individuals who helped make the soup dinner a success. Get more details at the link.

MORE: https://kewaneevoice.com/kewanee-womans-club-donates-fundraiser-profits-to-woodland-palace-restoration/

11/21/2025

Thank you Kewanee Woman's Club and Lackey Monument for helping preserve Fred's legacy

Forgotten request finds its place on Woodland Palace walls

"Rene Verstraete said it is easy to see how the engraving request might have been overlooked, since Francis’s family contested the will and the legal battle dragged on for some time. Once Verstraete realized the request had never been fulfilled, he turned to the Kewanee Woman’s Club for help."

See how a group of people came together to grant Fred Francis's wish at the link.

MORE: https://kewaneevoice.com/forgotten-request-finds-its-place-on-woodland-palace-walls/

10/27/2025

A quick update on the Kewanee Boiler Workers Memorial. Shout out to Thom Martin of Martin Bros. Companies for getting the lot clean, leveled and ready for planting. Recently, Dan Hier and Joe Chamberlain sowed 150 lbs. of grass seed on the site. Now we need a little much needed rain!

Tom Washburn has completed renovating the building sign that will provide a back drop for the area. It will be installed most likely in the spring, the framework for the sign is being designed by Mark Washburn (former boiler employee).

MTM (Midwest Trailer Manufacturing) who was responsible for the fabulous renovation of our Type C Boiler (which is parked onsite at the memorial) will be working on the boiler from Detwiler's Golden Rule Dairy of New Enterprise, PA. This boiler was bought and installed in 1946 and heated the dairy for 75 years. We were able to acquire it in late 2024 and it was delivered to Kewanee by one of the Detwiler grandchildren, Krista Walters.

We hope to keep adding to this memorial as it has such significant importance of a longtime Kewanee product that had worldwide prominence with many of them still working to this day.

Donations to help defray the cost of establishing this memorial may be sent to the Kewanee Preservation Society c/o Kewanee Chamber of Commerce 113 E. 2nd St. Kewanee, IL 61443. Kindly mark any donations "Boiler Memorial"

09/26/2025

Thank you for continued support of the Kewanee Preservation Society

First phase of Woodland Palace renovation to begin

Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mark Mikenas said Monday that the group has received many donations from individuals and the proceeds of a book written by Larry Kuster on Fred Francis who he calls “A Prairie State Genius.”

MORE: https://kewaneevoice.com/first-phase-of-woodland-palace-renovation-to-begin/

09/22/2025

Thank you to the Turnbull family!

09/11/2025

Did you drive by the Little Log Cabin on South St. today and wonder what was going on?

It was a Soil Conservation Field Day hosted by the Little Family Farm operators Alan & Brian Corkill.

Lou Little was a huge advocate of soil conservation and putting the ground to good natural use and we're sure he would love to see the huge crowd learning about best practices.

09/08/2025

Did you know? Lots of happenings at the Woodland Palace!
https://kewaneevoice.com/being-curious-inspecting-the-palace/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMr0mJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHpwbMugUlI9FgiIPFsKiQmAtIJBR9_J8KZUprDb-e8BN5HVEsFjpshtec2e__aem_K8JLRzK4j9Pg5ohpdNXTqQ

It’s a gem and should be put under glass. I am paraphrasing here but I was told those comments were made by the artist who painted the local mural of Fred Francis and his home after he toured Woodland Palace. Sadly, this gem was never put under glass and instead over the years has been… Continue...

09/06/2025

Once upon a Time in Kewanee…
We acquired a sign from the inside of the boiler shop. It sat for a few years. And now thanks to Washburn Art Co it’s beautiful again! Eventually, it will be the backdrop at the Boiler Workers’ Memorial, we can’t wait!