2006 Preservation Awards
Save the Woman's Building
240 W. Gilman Street
Marsha Rummel
Ledell Zellers
Award: personal advocacy
(Surprise award, announced for first time at the May 4, 2006, awards program). Last year, we missed a big and deserving award. Many people were involved in this team effort, but we think two women in particular stand out. Which is appropriate since the subject is the Woman's Building at 240 W. Gilman Street.
The story is familiar by now: developer buys the property for three times its assessed value, wants to demolish it and build student apartments. The building is not protected, the local alderman is a proponent of greater density, flashy presentation of the planned replacement building wins some fans.
But one day, Marsha Rummel notices the 1907 building while walking to her job downtown. She recognizes it as one she's appreciated for years but never knew much about it. Marsha decides to call fellow activist Ledell Zellers who lives nearby. These two women proceed to spearhead a campaign, the likes of which you don't often see. Meeting at Ledell's house every other Sunday for months, the group covered all the bases.
Thorough research was conducted on both the architecture and the extensive contributions of the Woman's Club to Madison's health and well-being in the early 1900s. A list of supporters was accumulated, from the little guy on the street, to well known politicians and civic leaders. Oral histories were conducted and an attractive brochure and Web site created. Ledell and Marsha met with local officials and wrote a great guest editorial for the papers. Neighborhood meetings were held and a special lecture on the history of the Woman's club and building was arranged.
In the end, the Woman's building was declared an official Madison landmark. This recommendation was sustained by the Common Council, over the building owner's objections.
Many people made significant contributions along the way, including Gary Tipler, Jack Holzhueter, Bill Patterson, Ron from Avol's Books, Simon Anderson for graciously hosting the biweekly meetings with Ledell, Sarah White for the Oral histories, Jason Tish for the writing the landmark nomination. Also, Pete Ostlind, Sheridan Glen and many more.
And for helping secure the final Council vote, we're grateful to alders Mike Verveer, Austin King and Judy Olson, along with Mayor Dave Cieslewicz who all spoke strongly in support. The final chapter for the Woman's building has yet to be written. As we speak, one of the allies in that effort, Mary Lang Sollinger, is working to get the space rented to an arts/retail/studio operation modeled after the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Va.
Nevertheless, it's safe to say, that the Woman's Building very likely would no longer be with us if it weren't for these two women.
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Other 2006 Award Winners
William and Fryetta Burmeister Residence
American Tobacco Company Warehouses
Ellsworth Block
23 N. Pinckney Street
Adolf and Edna Kannenberg Residence
Maurice and Elanor Johnson Residence
