The collection documents Lake Forest estates and major features as they appeared prior to 1980. At the heart of the collection are almost four hundred 8 x 10 black and white photographic prints by Paul Whiting, an architectural photographer who completed work for the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society, Susan Dart, and Gayle Dompke. There are also 38 prints (23 separate images) by James M. Karales, a New York based photographer for Look (1960-1971) until it ceased publication, and then a free-lance photographer after that.
The collection also includes files Mrs. Dompke created by Lake Forest address with many clippings, etc. and some photographs, as well, along with her records of the early days of the LF Preservation Foundation.
Dompke, Gayle Kenney, d. 2012