Historic Fitzpatrick House Hosts Ribbon Cutting

’s History Center and the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) took place Nov. 16 at the historic Fitzpatrick House, located across from the university’s main campus in Romeoville on Route 53. The event celebrated the Fitzpatrick House as the new site for the Lewis University History Center and the Heritage Corridor CVB.

More than 100 people attended the event, including numerous political officials and dignitaries from the area; the mayors of canal towns Romeoville, Lockport, and Morris; Illinois State Representative Emily McCasey (D-85th District); Will County Board Member Jackie Traynere; and representatives of the Donnelley Foundation.

Dr. Dennis Cremin, director of the Lewis University History Center and associate professor of history, welcomed guests to view the new display of historic photographs and panel exhibit, which tells a story of the development of the I & M Canal and its historical significance to the development of the region. Lewis President Br. James Gaffney, FSC, spoke of the new partnership with the Heritage Corridor CVB and the relocation of the History Center and special historic collections to the Fitzpatrick House. Romeoville Mayor John Noak presented Robert Navarro, President/CEO of the CVB with a plaque symbolizing the community’s welcome, and talked about how the relocation of CVB to Romeoville was consistent with their efforts with the Romeoville Area Historical Society and the Veterans Memorial tribute.

Lewis Executive Vice President Wayne Draudt, Noak, Navarro, Gaffney, Cremin and CVB board chair Kelly Lobucher participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Along the old Route 66, the Fitzpatrick House is a place to learn more about the area’s history through the Adelmann Collection and plan a trip  along the I & M Canal National Corridor through the resources of the Heritage Corridor CVB, which opened a visitors center and office in the Fitzpatrick House in late August. The office is a resource for visitors planning a trip or looking for relocation information. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Heritage Corridor CVB creates economic impact for the communities and counties along the Illinois and Michigan Canal through tourism marketing, promotion and development. The CVB operates visitor centers in Bolingbrook, Joliet and Utica.  More information is available at www.HeritageCorridorCVB.com.

In 2001, Lewis University acquired the Fitzpatrick House. The building was part of the homestead that included the original 170 acres of the campus, donated in 1920 to the Archdiocese of Chicago by Michael and Frances Fitzpatrick. 

The Lewis University History Center seeks to unite scholars, students, and the public in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of materials linked to the history of the Upper Midwest. The center strives to preserve and promote the region’s heritage (with a special focus on the Illinois & Michigan Canal) through the collection of historic documents and materials and promotion of research and activities involving core areas of public history.