The Prairie Landscape

The Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award - 2006


Aaron A. Atkins

Nominated By The Honorable John Rednour


Du Quoin


Aaron A. Atkins

Aaron A. Atkins is the City Attorney for the City of Du Quoin, but his recent work spearheading the initiative to preserve the city's many historic buildings has been entirely a volunteer effort. Mr. Atkins proposed the initiative to the City Council and, with their blessing, formed an ad hoc Historic Preservation Committee to manage the effort. Mr. Atkins drafted the Historic Preservation Ordinance required by the state for the Certified Local Governance Program, for which the City is presently applying. In the meantime, Mr. Atkins and the Historic Preservation Committee have begun the task of educating the public about historic preservation, publishing articles in the local paper and preparing a collection of historic photographs to be published in book form by the end of 2006. With Mr. Atkins's assistance, the Committee is preparing to perform a survey of Du Quoin's historic structures and to notify the public of the services the State and the Committee have available to assist the owners of historic properties. Mr. Atkins has also been involved in preservation on a personal level, restoring a circa 1856 hotel building where he has maintained his office in downtown Du Quoin since 1990.

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