The Lasting Legacy of R. Harold Zook

By Anna Hughes  |  Photos Courtesy of the Hinsdale Historical Society

R. Harold Zook homes and buildings are iconic pieces of Hinsdale’s history. Often identified by faux thatched roofs, intricate brickwork, chevron-patterned woodwork, or spiderweb window motifs, Zook’s Cotswolds-style homes became a cornerstone of the architectural aesthetic throughout the village.

It took two days to move Zook’s home and studio on wheels from South Oak Street to Katherine Legge Memorial Park.

“We like to say that we kind of equate R. Harold Zook to Chicago’s Frank Lloyd Wright,” Hinsdale Historical Society President Alexis Braden said. “He contributed to so much of the fabric of Hinsdale from a residential and commercial standpoint.”

Zook is responsible for designing approximately 34 houses and commercial buildings in Hinsdale, including his own residence and studio. Built in 1924, Zook called 327 S. Oak St. home until he died in 1949. Zook was an active Hinsdalean: he served on and chaired Hinsdale’s Architecture Committee and the first Plan Commission for 17 years, where he worked to cultivate a cohesive Georgian design throughout downtown.

“He was responsible for the village master plan,” Braden said. “A lot of our municipal and commercial buildings are in a Georgian style. That was part of his master plan, so his influence definitely… shaped the look and feel of our commercial buildings downtown.”

In 2004, the Hinsdale Historical Society discovered that a developer had purchased Zook’s home and studio on South Oak Street with plans to demolish it. In order to preserve its historical significance, a team of volunteers and generous donors worked to move the structure in its entirety to Katherine Legge Memorial Park in May of 2005.

“A bunch of volunteers, architects, builders, everyone came together with the society to move this,” Braden said. “It took two days on wheels up County Line [Road] to where it sits now.”

Zook’s home and studio were moved to Katherine Legge Memorial Park in 2005.

Over the past 20 years, the Historical Society has worked to rehabilitate the home and studio to ensure that it remains a local landmark and honors Zook’s contribution to Hinsdale. Now, they are working on the next phase of that plan: to transform the space into Zook Commons.

“We are fundraising to turn it into a museum as a tribute to R. Harold Zook, a coffee shop and gathering spot for people frequenting the park and all Hinsdaleans,” Braden said.

The Zook Legacy Campaign, which started in late 2025, has a fundraising goal of $1.5 million for this project.

“[R. Harold Zook] contributed to so much of the fabric of Hinsdale from a residential and commercial standpoint.”

– Alexis Braden, President, Hinsdale Historical Society

“We foresee [Zook Commons] as an institution for generations to come, [as] a new gathering spot for Hinsdaleans, a place to learn,” Braden said. “We’re going to have seminars and wellness classes for people of all ages to come and visit us, and so we encourage [Hinsdaleans] to get involved to help us reach this fundraising goal, so we can make this a reality.”

Although funds from society-hosted events throughout the year—including the highly anticipated Kitchen Walk—support the Zook Home and Studio, the money raised from those events also finances operations at the two other society-owned buildings: Immanuel Hall and the Hinsdale History Museum. To raise money specifically for the Zook Legacy Campaign, the Historical Society launched a new event in May: Hinsdale Drives. This tour, inspired by the Kitchen Walk concept, was geared toward men interested in luxury homes and cars, “man cave” garages, and curated wine cellars.

“It was really cool,” Braden said. “We’re hoping that it’ll continue to be an annual event moving

Zook’s Cotswolds-style homes are often identified by faux thatched roofs, intricate brickwork, chevron-patterned woodwork, or spider-web window motifs.

forward.”

In addition to her role at the Historical Society, Braden also serves on the Board of Trustees, where she oversees Hinsdale’s preservation efforts. She said the village is offering various incentives to encourage historic homeowners to maintain the original character of their homes.

“[We’re] trying to get people to preserve these homes, make it modern for their family, but preserv[e] the streetscapes so we can continue to be a historic village from a home neighborhood standpoint,” she said.

Through all her work, Braden’s message echoes the feelings of many Hinsdaleans:

“We really want to preserve Hinsdale’s history and heritage,” she said.

For more information about the Zook Legacy Campaign, visit www.hinsdalehistory.org.