The Chicago Traveler

Robert Allerton Park

by Matt B on March 11th, 2008

Words can't always fully describe the beauty and majesty of a scene. Letters and punctuation cannot capture the refreshing feeling that nature can offer. Such is the case with Allerton Park and Retreat Center.

Oh sure, I could go on and on about the 1500 acres (6 km²) of meadows, woodlands, gardens, hiking trails, farmsteads, and sculptures located near Monticello, Illinois. I could tell you about how several conferences, retreats, special events, and weddings are held there every year. This public park is used daily for hiking, picnicking, bird-watching, and even old-fashioned refreshing walks.

The land was the first major gift ever given to the University of Illinois. In 1946, Robert Allerton (son and heir of the founder of First National Bank of Chicago) gave this beautiful estate to the school for use as 'an educational and research center, as a forest and wildlife and plant-life reserve, as an example of landscape architecture, and as a public park.' He had also been a benefactor of the Art Institute of Chicago, donating over 6,000 pieces of art to the museum. In fact, many replicas of his favorites were placed in the gardens of his estate. Allerton would definitely approve of the grand artistic beauty the land has maintained to this very day.

Finally there is a bit of gay history here as well. Robert Allerton lived on these grounds with his lifelong 'friend,' John Gregg. Allerton had been described by the Chicago Tribune as the city's 'most eligible bachelor,' and he never married. The two men left Chicago in the late '30s, just as the city was becoming more intolerant and inhospitable to gays and lesbians. Years later, Allerton adopted Gregg as his son (they were 78 and 52 years old, respectively) because it was the only way, at the time, he could ensure that Gregg would be able to inherit his property after he died.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) bradjward (1, 2), amishah, jpmatth (1, 2, 3, 4), shaggyd (1, 2), Carl M

Allerton Park and Retreat Center: 515 Old Timber Rd (Monticello); 217-333-3287
April ' November: 9:00 a.m. ' 5:00 p.m. daily
December ' March: Fri & Sat 8:30 a.m. ' 4:30 p.m.
http://www.continuinged.uiuc.edu/allerton/

Interview with John Gregg Allerton: http://www.uis.edu/archives/memoirs/ALLERTON.pdf

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POSTED IN: Architecture & Attractions, Gay & Lesbian, Sports and Recreation