By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
A report was adopted by the Elmhurst City Council at its meeting on Monday, July 19, recommended by the Public Affairs and Safety (PAS) Committee, for a request to rename the Elmhurst History Museum’s research library as the “John and Katherine Burgin Research Library,” upon the receipt of a donation of $150,000 from the estate of Dr. John Burgin.
Dr. Burgin is a former resident of Elmhurst who contacted Elmhurst History Museum executive director Dave Oberg about naming a room at the museum in honor of his parents, John and Katherine Burgin, in exchange for the bequest.
The funds will be received by the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which serves as the fundraising arm of the History Museum. The Foundation underwrites exhibits, programs and major museum initiatives.
Oberg looked at naming rights at other museums to determine an appropriate space for a gift of this level and recommended several spaces to Dr. Burgin, who ultimately selected the research library.
