Saving an Historic Landmark
The passionate determination of one man, Marvin Marder, saved this community jewel. A long-time resident of Highland Park, he was no stranger to public service. Having founded his own law firm in the town, he served as a City Councilman and was a member of the City Plan Commission, Civil Service Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. He met with members of the Woman’s Club Board and proposed that they gift the building to the community for use as a cultural center.
When a new Woman’s Club Board of Directors met they opted to sell the land to a developer who planned to demolish the house. Marder started a campaign to "Help save the beautiful and historic Highland Park Woman’s Club from the wrecker's ball."
A 37-member Task Force for the Highland Park Civic/Cultural Arts Center was formed to research the feasibility of maintaining the building as a civic and cultural arts center. In 1992, their in-depth study concluded that the town needed a community center noting that a center would provide the foundation for a richer and exciting civic and cultural life in Highland Park. They also identified the Woman's Club building as the ideal venue.
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