Adrien M. Richard Preserve

The museum grounds are named after Adrien Richard, one of the founding members and first president (1975) of the Bourbonnais Grove Historical Society. 

An accountant by trade, Richard was local historian and author by vocation and has contributed much to the preservation of Bourbonnais history, as well as that of Maternity B.V.M. Parish. His book, The Village, is the seminal history of Bourbonnais.

The preserve contains an arboretum, which was established in 1988. The arboretum’s trees, shrubs, and perennials were chosen for their native qualities to the area. 

In 2008 the gardens underwent a thorough renovation, spearheaded by BGHS members, master gardeners from the University of Illinois extension service, and Camp MOSH volunteers.  The gardens were featured on the June 17, 2011 Kankakee Kultivators’ Garden Tour.