Local 'Questers' Work for Historical Preservation

How many organizations do you know of that have been going strong for 45 years? The Spring Rock Questers can boast that longevity.

Questers is an international, non-profit organization that encourages the study of antiques and the preservation and restoration of historical landmarks.

Spring Rock Questers began in 1964 and it was the first Quester group in Western Springs.  There are currently two additional Quester groups in the Village—Village Green Questers, and Daisy Hill Questers.

Monthly meetings focus on furthering the education of members, sharing the joy of collecting, and further cultivating member’s interests in antiques and history.

 Members are required to present a program once every three years, either to their own Quester group, or to another group in the area. 

Programs mostly focus on antique collectables, but can also highlight historical figures, like President Kennedy, landmark buildings or businesses, like Marshall Fields, or significant cultural trends, like Julia Child and her introduction of cooking shows to television.

June Reich, Spring Rock Quester for five years, wrote a program about Julia Child.

“It has been very popular,” said June. “After Julia passed away, and the movie Julie and Julia came out, people have been very interested in her life story, as well as learning how to cook her classic recipes.” 

The Spring Rock Quester group currently has 20 members, ages 30 -80. 

Current Spring Rock Quester President, Sharon Cloghessy, said that their membership numbers have been strong, and they are happy that they have been able to sustain the original Western Springs Quester group for so long.

“We cap our membership at 25, so we currently have room for a few more,” said Cloghessy.  “Sometimes we have had a waiting list.  Members are usually recruited through word-of-mouth. We invite potential members to a meeting, so they can see what we do.”

Long-time Spring Rock member, Sharon Bachmann, is also involved at the state level, serving as the state Historian. Her responsibilities include maintaining a scrapbook and honoring those chapters with significant anniversaries and accomplishments.

According to Bachmann, there are 51 Quester groups in Illinois, and many of those are in the northern part of the state.

Hinsdale and La Grange each have two Quester groups. 

“The Western Springs chapters are very involved in local restoration and preservation, which is the main focus of the organization,” Bachmann said.  

Cloghessy explained that funds come from the annual dues, which are $35 per person, and from Quester Quarters.  “Each meeting, we pass around a shoe box and we all put our quarters in it.” Additional monies are applied for through grants.

“Village Green Questers, along with our group, applied for a matching state grant to help preserve the Ekdahl house,” Bachmann explained.  “We also contribute time and money to the Western Springs Historical Society and the Nettie J. McKinnon Art Collection at Park Junior High School in LaGrange.”