The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Board on Tuesday, June 2, directed staff to negotiate with Naperville resident James Privitt to relocate and restore Oak Cottage.
The 1850 Greek Revival farmhouse at Greene Valley Forest Preserve has sat empty since 1983.
Privitt proposes moving the cottage to a private home site within two miles of its current location at Greene and Hobbs roads inside the preserve. He estimates spending between $885,000 and more than $1 million on restoration and has asked the district to contribute $290,000 to $370,000 toward relocation costs.
Jessica Ortega, the district's manager of strategic plans and initiatives, told the Naperville Sun that Privitt is considering two possible sites, both in DuPage County on land the Greene family once owned.
NCTV17 reported that the district planned to open a statement-of-interest window on Monday, June 16, with a public site visit at the cottage scheduled for Thursday, July 16, and submissions due Friday, October 16. The district's website had not posted details as of June 16.
Built by William B. Greene, a DuPage County settler, the cottage and surrounding land were donated to the forest preserve district in 1970 with an agreement that family members could remain until their deaths.
The last resident moved out in 1983. In 2023, Landmarks Illinois named it one of the state's most endangered historic places.
Not everyone supports moving the structure. Philip Buchanan of Naperville Preservation Inc. argued that separating Oak Cottage from the adjacent Greene Farm Barn breaks the historical narrative of the unified farmstead the two buildings shared.
"It does hurt the context," Commissioner Jeff Gahris said at the June 2 meeting. "But if Mr. Privitt can pull this off and have it so it's accessible to the public so we can try to restore some of the context, that helps me."
Privitt's plan includes maintaining the green-and-white exterior, restoring the roof and windows, reinstalling original features like a hitching post and carriage steps, and planting at least 10 oak trees.
He hopes to pursue National Register of Historic Places listing through the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office. Privitt has prior preservation experience, including relocating a landmarked house in Melissa, Texas.
Any final agreement still requires board approval.
Upcoming at Greene Valley
- Saturday, June 27, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. — Naperville Outdoor Alliance "Bike to the Barn" at Greene Valley Forest Preserve, 23W171 Hobson Road. Bike, walk, or run to the Greene Barn; live music, plein air painting, art exhibit, nature hike, lawn games, photo booth. Box lunch from Belgio's available ($20 adults, $10 children). Info: napervilleoutdooralliance.org.
- Thursday, July 16 — Public site visit at Oak Cottage, Greene Valley Forest Preserve. Visit details have not been posted to dupageforest.org as of June 16; check the district's website for updates.
