Hewett House

The Edwin C. Hewett House is the current location of the Ecology Action Center. This historic dwelling was home to Edwin C. Hewett, one of the first professors at Illinois Normal School, now Illinois State University, and its third president from 1876-1890.

The house dates back to the early 1860’s, yet is still in remarkably good condition. It has its original clapboards and, perhaps surprisingly, has retained its original exterior design. This architecturally distinctive structure remains one of the finest Italianate/Greek Revival houses in the twin cities.

In 1994, the Town of Normal granted the Ecology Action Center use of Hewett House, and its interior was remodeled to fit the needs of an educational facility. In 2002, the EAC received a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to make the house an energy efficient building, then in 2004, the Clean Energy Foundation provided money for a geothermal retrofit. The house has become a demonstration site and everyone is welcome to come in and see its many displays, including the energy bike, a geothermal room, an insulation display, the Mackinaw River display, and the Rick Harney recycled lint chair.