The Friends of Woodland Palace at Francis Park have announced that they have raised sufficient funds to start the first phase of the restoration of the home built by Fred Francis.

The Friends are the volunteer group formed in 2024 to partner with the city of Kewanee and help restore the Francis home, known as Woodland Place.  

Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mark Mikenas said Monday that the group has received many donations from individuals and the proceeds of a book written by Larry Kuster on Fred Francis who he calls “A Prairie State Genius.”

At a recent fundraising committee meeting it was announced that the group received a “generous gift to honor our area’s founders and to continue to keep their legacies” from the local Turnbull family.

In the introduction to his book Kuster wrote that Fred Francis has been described as an inventor, builder, mathematician, poet, artist, philanthropist and genius.

Fred grew up on a farm, received a quality education from the Illinois Industrial University (now the University of Illinois). He used this education and became financially successful. His life’s focus was not just on making money but also doing the right thing.

Just like Francis, the Turnbulls have a connection to farming, receiving a quality education and doing the right thing. The family’s history in America spans two centuries and many of their Scottish ancestors settled on farmland just southeast of Kewanee in Elmira. \

Family members believed the best way to advance in life was through education, attending Northwestern University, Monmouth College and Bradley University. 

“The Friends of Woodland Palace are grateful to all our donors and are excited to see the Palace begin the transformation many people remember,” Mikenas said. 

The Friends of Woodland Palace is part of  the Kewanee Preservation Society, a nonprofit organization formed in 2016  that also oversees the Little Family Log Cabin site on South Street in Kewanee.

For information on how to volunteer or donate contact the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce at 309-852-2175. Mail donations to Kewanee Preservation Society, 113 E. 2nd St. Kewanee, IL 61443. Please earmark your donation for Woodland Palace.

For more information or ways to donate online, go to www.woodland-palace.com.