Resident urges trustees to help preserve Machesney Park artifacts for new historical society

Barry Pay, identifying himself as president of the newly formed Machesney Park Historical Society, addressed the Board of Trustees during public comment to request assistance locating and preserving local artifacts for a future museum.

Pay said the society has acquired an A&W root beer barrel and is bringing back one of Fred Machesney's planes from Poplar Grove Airport. He asked trustees and community members to help identify and recover additional pieces, including signs or other items inside the Machesney Park Mall, and to alert neighbors who might have historically significant objects in private possession. "If any of you can do that, I'd love it," Pay said. He provided his current address as 716 Russ Street for contact purposes.

Pay framed the request as a community preservation effort to ensure local history is available for future generations. The board did not take formal action during the public comment period on the request; the comment concluded with the board moving to closed session afterward.