Happy Thanksgiving from the Gaylord Building

The Gaylord Building Historic Site would like to send you and your loved ones very warm wishes for the beginning of the holiday season!  Due to the State’s recent Tier 3 mitigations, the building along with The Public Landing Restaurant and Gallery 7 will be closed until further notice.  We hope that you all are able to stay safe during the holidays while maintaining your spirits.

During this next session of hibernation, the building will be receiving some exciting improvements!  Our small second-floor gallery, often used as a bridal suite, is undergoing renovations and will be dedicated in honor of the late Governor James R. Thompson.  Not only was Governor Thompson well-respected and our longest-serving Illinois Governor, but he also played a key role in the recognition of the I&M Canal as the very first National Heritage Corridor in the United States.  Due in part to his efforts, Congress passed legislation to recognize this area for its historic preservation & economic development, and it was officially designated by Ronald Reagan on August 24th, 1984.  Since then, Lockport and the I & M Canal have served as an example for over fifty other heritage areas across the country.  The new Governor Thompson Room will be a multifunctional gathering space for the community to enjoy, and we are so excited for you to see it once it is open.

You are also the first to see a sneak peek of the latest exhibit coming to the building!  Our staff and volunteers are currently working on the curation of an exhibit of folk art wooden sculptures created by John Lamb to the first-floor gallery.  John Lamb is a former Lewis University professor, whose work and dedication to the history of Lockport and the preservation of the canal also assisted in the I&M Canal becoming the first official National Heritage Corridor.  His life’s work includes producing over fifty articles and two books to help educate the public on the significance of our history.  John is an incredibly valued member of the Lockport community, and we are excited to honor him and his work in this upcoming show.  Stay tuned for future updates!