Richard Pepper, CEO of Pepper Construction Company, and his wife Roxy are honored with the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award for their continued support of the Barrington Area Historical Society. When the town's blacksmith shop had to be moved from its location, Mr. and Mrs. Pepper were instrumental in its preservation. They were responsible for building the shop's new foundation on the Historical Society property and allowing it to be moved there (across the Village) in 1998. Mr. and Mrs. Pepper then supported the shop's placement and finishing on site as well as the construction and reconstruction of other buildings on site. This project, completed in 2002, recreated the Barrington Area Historical Society complex. Many community events, lectures, and exhibits have been held in the space since its remodeling. The blacksmith shop is open every weekend and other historical learning takes place at the site throughout the year. Mr. and Mrs. Pepper have also supported many other community endeavors during their many years in Barrington which, as Village President Karen Darch puts it, testifies to "their desire and support for community projects which instruct and endure."
Select Illinois Humanities Council programs are now available for listening or download at Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) as a part of Chicago Amplified, a web-based audio library of diverse public events recorded throughout the Chicago region.
