Woodland Palace at Francis Park

08/04/2026

Another fulfillment of Fred’s wishes. 100 years in the making, the missing pillars were installed recently on Jeanie‘s reading porch. Thank you to Kent Vigor for making that happen!

07/22/2026

Use this link to Paypal!

07/22/2026

A couple weeks ago, it was printed in the Kewanee Voice / Henry-Stark Voice that we had received $400,000 in contributions. As great as that would be, it is not true ☹️ $400,000 is the goal for all phases of construction + a small endowment to take care of upkeep. We are currently at $260,000! Which we are very proud of! If you would like to help us reach the goal, make checks out to Friends of Woodland Palace, 113 E Second, Kewanee IL 61443 or use our Paypal at the top of the page. Thank You for your continued support!

07/04/2026

Come on out to Francis Park today!! We are giving tours and you can enjoy all the rest of the festivities also!

06/25/2026

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

June 25, 2026

Construction Begins at Woodland Palace

Almost 2 years to the day of a community information meeting hosted by the Kewanee Preservation Society to gauge potential interest in renovating the Woodland Palace, construction has officially begun. The Woodland Palace is the historical home of local inventor, mathematician, artist, poet, philanthropist, architect and builder Fred Francis.

Kewaneean and third generation local contractor Bob Oldeen of Oldeen Roofing and his crew started on the first major project of removing and installing a new roof on the house.

Over the last 24 months many meetings with city officials (who own the house and 60-acre park), historical architects, builders and historians have occurred and are now ready to move forward. Also, during this time a major fundraising campaign was launched and is ongoing to raise the $400,000 goal needed to complete restoration and establish a maintenance fund to keep the structure secure for many more years.

The Friends of Woodland Palace (FOWP) was formed and is overseeing the project with the City of Kewanee. The Mission of the FOWP is to help maintain the house and educate the public about this historic structure. Fred Francis built the home and left it to the city when he passed in 1926. Known for his engineering skills, Fred’s house had innovations decades ahead of its time.

Recently, FOWP has awarded the masonry work to longtime Kewanee mason Kent Vigor. He will be starting in mid-July and will be finishing some work that was not completed by Fred before he died in 1926 but was referred to in his bequest to the city. FOWP vice-president and Kewanee Historical Society President Mike DeWalt stated "It is our goal to utilize local contractors when we can since they have the best interest in carrying out the mission of the Friends group."

It is planned to have the house open for the upcoming July 4th celebration that takes place at the park. Some areas may be off limits due to ongoing construction at the time. The fundraising committee will be at the house with information and a chance to have your picture taken with Fred.

Any individual or business interested in donation to the renovation may contact Sherry "TD" Welch at [email protected]. Donations can also be sent to the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce 113 E. 2nd St. Kewanee, IL 61443. Please make checks payable to “Friends of Woodland Palace.” Visit the website, www.woodland-palace.com or the page “Woodland Palace at Francis Park” for updates and news.

Picture shows Rowdy Meeker, Hunter Oldeen, Bob Oldeen, Owner and Kirk VanDeSampel of Oldeen Roofing Company. Bob is the 3rd generation and Hunter is following up to be the 4th generation in the Oldeen Roofing company.

06/14/2026

Looking for something to do on July 4th? Stop out to Francis Park and enjoy the festivities!

06/10/2026

We thank the Cade Zima from Sorenson's office for coming to see the Palace and the work it needs.

The Friends of Woodland Palace have raised more than a quarter of a million dollars to pay for repairs to the historic home in Francis Park. But they’re still short of their goal. And on Wednesday, a representative of Congressman Eric Sorensen promised to do what he could to help them make it. Sor...

04/22/2026

“The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax”— Of drywall and construction… or something like that.

The visible work begins. The Palace’s facelift is beginning this week. Look for lots of pictures of all the work — beginning with this piece of drywall that is obvs not original

04/22/2026

Thank You to Rotary Club of Kewanee! Your donation is much appreciated!

04/11/2026

We are very excited that our first contract has been signed and restoration work will begin. This is all due to public generosity. We are thankful to everyone who has donated so far.

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Friends of Woodland Palace
Moving Forward With Repairs

The Friends of Woodland Palace (FOWP) have announced that they have signed their first contract to repair the aging home of Fred Francis. Oldeen Roofing Company from Kewanee will begin the needed repairs as soon as supplies and weather permits. “First, the roof structure will be rebuilt to make the building water-tight once again. Selecting a contractor that would have the best interests of the project was extremely important to FOWP. A third-generation Kewanee company, Oldeen Roofing, fits that requirement” stated Ray Jacobs, FOWP President.

Friends of Woodland Palace was formed in 2025 to help the City of Kewanee, which owns the house and 60 acre park 3 miles East of Kewanee. The Mission of the FOWP is to help maintain the house and educate the public about this historic structure. Fred Francis, the inventive genius, built the home and left it to the city when he passed in 1926. Known for his engineering skills, Fred’s house had innovations decades ahead of its time.

To restore the Palace, Friends of Woodland Palace volunteers are working with the city and historical architect David Leonatti of Springfield, Illinois. Over the last several months they have created a plan to bring the house back to its former self. Fundraising has been taking place over these many months to be able to begin the transformation.

It is planned to have the house open for the July 4th celebration that takes place at the park. Some areas may be off limits due to ongoing construction at the time.

Any individual or business interested in donation to the renovation may contact Sherry "TD" Welch at [email protected]. Donations can also be sent to the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce 113 E. 2nd St. Kewanee, IL 61443. Please make checks payable to Kewanee Preservation Society and mark your donation “Woodland Palace”. Visit the website, www.woodland-palace.com or the page “Woodland Palace at Francis Park” for updates and news.