Blodgett Renovation Earns Award For Downers Grove Museum

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Recent renovations to the 1846 Blodgett House has earned Downers Grove Museum recognition from the Association of Midwest Museums (AMM). The museum's work on the historic building earned it AMM Best Practices Award.

The award recognizes cultural institutions for their innovative initiatives and partnerships, a news release said.

Renovations to 1846 Blodgett House wrapped in July 2022 after 15 years. The project included moving the historic house onto the campus of Downers Grove Museum and performing upgrades and maintenance to the building.

“The 1846 Blodgett House welcomed 2,383 visitors in 2022, and visitorship and program participation has continued to grow. The Downers Grove Museum is proud of our efforts to share the story of the Blodgett family and the Underground Railroad with our visitors and the community,” Downers Grove Park District Recreation Supervisor of Historical Programming Felicia Camacho said in a statement.

AMM's Best Practices Awards comes shortly after 1846 Blodgett House was added to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom for the role its builders Israel and Avis Blodgett had as abolitionists who may have helped slaves get to safety during the Civil War.

Representatives from Downers Grove Museum will receive the Best Practices Award during a virtual ceremony on Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. Click the link to register for the virtual awards ceremony.