The Woodland Palace, built by Fred Francis and located at Francis Park outside Kewanee, will be open for tours on Friday, July 4. The tours coincide with the annual Francis Park Festival held each year at the park on Independence Day.
In addition to the tours, Larry Kuster, the author of a new book on Fred titled Fred Francis, A Prairie State Genius will be holding a book signing that day. Books will be available for purchase.
The event is hosted by Friends of Woodland Palace, a nonprofit group with a mission of restoring Francis’s house.
According to Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Mark Mikenas, the newly formed group of Friends of Woodland Palace at Francis Park will be onsite Friday offering tours and providing information. The group is kicking off fundraising efforts to help the City of Kewanee refurbish the house and do much needed repairs including a new roof, conservatory repair and general repairs throughout.
The estimated cost is in excess of $350,000 with the roof being the primary focus at this time.
Mikenas reminds people that the group is all volunteer and is asking anyone who would like to join to let someone know Friday at the park.
Proceeds from the event will go to restoring Woodland Palace.
The tours and book signing start at 10:30 a.m. and will go to 12:30 p.m.
