The Preservation and Conservation Association, also known as PACA, is located at 44 East Washington Street in Champaign. Chances are that you’ve likely driven by the architectural salvage warehouse on your way to to eat or relax downtown and never quite understood what it was. At first glance it looks like an antique shop, or perhaps a spot where you can pick up some unique furniture. However, after a visit and just a brief chat with any of the staff you’ll find that not only does PACA have a rich history with about 400 members, the group is also deeply involved in the local community in a myriad of ways.
Incorporated as a non-profit organization on March 6th, 1981, PACA brought together a group of like-minded volunteers who had a desire to preserve historic buildings and educate the community about conservation. First starting out of the volunteers’ garages, the current warehouse was opened in 1997.
When you first enter you may feel overwhelmed or even worried about getting lost in the rows of materials. There is a lot to see both inside and outside the store, and you might wonder how they managed to pack so much into the moderately-sized indoor space.
Once you dig deeper, though, you’ll find that things are very orderly and arranged by material type: trim, windows, light fixtures, even plumbing. As you wind your way through the rows, one thing stands out above everything else- the outstanding quality of the materials. Trim made from old growth timber, finely detailed metalwork, even cast-iron bathtubs. The old saying, “They don’t make them like they used to,” certainly applies here.
In addition to the warehouse, PACA works salvage operations in conjunction with the City of Champaign and is often given an opportunity to work a site scheduled for demolition before the final tear down actually happens. This gives the volunteers time to visit, search for useful materials, and save valuable wood and other hardware that could be re-used by others in the community. “The greenest building is the one you re-use,” says Thomas Garza, Executive Director of PACA. “These materials were made with a craftsmanship that was as much about art as it was about use. They convey a sense of importance, that they were made to last, and you won’t see items like these again” Garza explains.
Below, Thomas Garza, Executive Director of PACA
When asked why someone should be interested in salvaging and recycling building materials, Garza pointed out several important points that people might often not think of, “First, you’re saving landfills from being filled with more waste. You’re also cutting down on the cost of materials for yourself; a new door at a hardware store might cost several hundred dollars but one you find here might cost a fraction of that. Also, a door is not just a door.” Garza explained further, “People often visit to pick up a piece of a building- a door, a window, something else — and turn it into a piece of artwork not at all related to its original function. Every piece here has a story.”
In addition to advocating for the preservation of historical buildings and providing materials at low cost through the warehouse, PACA also helps the surrounding community in several other important ways. The organization provides Heritage Award grants to the community for preservation and rehabilitation activities. PACA also awards scholarships to University of Illinois students studying historical preservation through the Urban Planning program.
Items can also be temporarily checked out by theaters and other groups to be used as props for performances and plays; a unique benefit that has recently been taken advantage of for the play Appropriate which was covered in late April by Smile Politely.
Below, pieces of a staircase used in the local play Appropriate are returned.
All of this and more makes The Preservation and Conservation Association not just a great place to visit to pick up low-cost historical goods of great quality, but also a welcome and fundamental part of the community. Volunteer opportunities are always available, whether you want to work on a salvage crew, staff the warehouse, or serve on a committee, so if you’re interested in contributing you can send an email to pacaexdir@gmail.com or call 217-359-7222 for more information. You can also visit their website to learn more online.
The warehouse itself is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday until 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Other times may be available by appointment. If you haven’t done so already, stop by to see not only what you can find, but what you can learn.