Diana Kenney — Preserving, Celebrating Crystal Lake's Past

Diana Kenney has a history of getting involved with preservation projects and any events highlighting Crystal Lake’s heritage.

As a founding member and current president of the , Kenney, 54, strives to share the city’s history, helping coordinate special educational events like the upcoming Candle Light Presentation at the Colonel Palmer House scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3.

"I'm drawn to the historic buildings and the stories that go with them," Kenney said. "I like learning about the people who built the buidlings and their history."

In the case of the candlight presentation at the Col. Palmer House, the only structure in Crystal Lake listed in the national registry of historic places, Kenney and other volunteers have pieced together a historic tour/ play to coincide with holidays.

“It’s a moving play,” Kenney said. “We’re relating stories of the people who lived here in 1861, the first year of the Civil War. There will be civil war soldiers singing around a campfire. The house is primarily lit with candles and lanterns. It’s a very Currier and Ives night.”

Historical Preservation Commission

Serving as an appointed member on the Crystal Lake Historical Preservation Commission, Kenney works alongside other commissioners in a similar capacity, safeguarding Crystal Lake’s historic and cultural heritage.

The commission researches, documents and promotes the saving of historic properties in the city. The members also assist with planning special events such as the annual Heritage Tour.

"You can go to any town and find a big box store like a Target," Kenney said. "But it's the downtown buildings that differentiate towns from other communities."

Downtown Crystal Lake Main Street

Then there’s what Kenney calls her "real job."

Kenney serves as executive director of the Downtown Crystal Lake Main Street, a not-for-profit organization founded by volunteers from throughout the community.

Starting out in a part-time capacity, Kenney took the reins full time six years ago.

Her office, appropriately so, is nestled on the second floor of the Ben Raue House at 25 W. Crystal Lake Ave., . The Raue family donated the home to Downtown Crystal Lake along with the old Showplace movie theatre — now the .

The executive director duties blend well with Kenney’s other posts.

The Ohio transplant, who’s lived in Crystal Lake for 25 years and raised two children with her husband Bill, Kenney devotes herself to creating fun, memorable special occasions, particularly during the holidays.

Making the Holidays Special

Kenney oversees such happenings as the downtown , Garden Party, Lunch with a Bunny, Halloween Handout and .

She also coordinated the held this past Friday. The parade, blessed with mild weather and strong following, enjoyed a huge turnout and 44 parade entries, she said.

Now she’s diligently working on the details for the Breakfast with Santa, scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 10, at Old Towne Hall, corner of Williams and Brink streets. And she’s scheduled the "big guy" to greet children in the downtown Santa House. Children can stop by for photographs and relay their wish lists to Santa through Dec. 23.

"The Breakfast with Santa is a fun, seasonal event that has really become a tradition with people," Kenney said. "I have people asking me in November when the tickets are going on sale. And the Santa House is really something. You have to see the inside — it's set up like a little living room, nothing like the Santa setups at the malls."

Kenney's goal, she says, is not just to promote the downtown businesses, but to bring residents together and preserve the legacy for future generations.

“Downtown Crystal Lake Main Street is a preservation-based organization,” Kenney said. “Our whole purpose is to bring the community together to the downtown, which we believe is the heart of the community.”

She does hope people remember the downtown shops and merchants during their holiday shopping excursions. The downtown association is in the midst of a "big push” to have Crystal Lake folks think small.

“We’re asking people to support the local businesses, and think small,” Kenney said. “We have over 1,500 friends on the Downtown Crystal Lake/Main Street Facebook page, and we’re trying to spread the message.”