The Prairie Landscape

The Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award - 2006


Jon Lundin*

Nominated By The Honorable Lawrence J. Morrissey


Rockford


Jon Lundin*

Jon Lundin has been a major force in documenting and educating the public about the past of his hometown of Rockford and the surrounding region. He is the author of several books including Rockford, An Illustrated History and Swede Town, a history of the Swedish immigration to Winnebago County. This publication was taken as a gift on a recent trade mission to Sweden. Mr. Lundin is responsible for the formal recognition of several of his city's historical treasures, writing the applications for the Graham-Ginestra House and the Spafford House to be included in the National Historic Registry and leading the committee to save the Elks Club, a 1912 social hall that had fallen into disrepair, by seeking national designation from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Mr. Lundin has been a frequent speaker on regional history, including giving the closing speech at the Midwest Conference of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1976, and an enthusiastic member of local and national organizations promoting historic preservation. He was a designer and consultant for the Rockford Park District's Trolley Museum and has designed and conducted historical walking tours of the city. In addition to his work preserving Rockford's past, Mr. Lundin is also involved in myriad activities geared toward improving its future, such as "Studio-zoom," a program that combines studio and computer training for low-income residents and leverages the power of the arts to help them recognize their creative potential.

*Deceased

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