MONTICELLO — During the covid pandemic, public parks became a refuge as one of the safer places to spend time while most other locations were locked down. It was during that time that Chicago native and urban planner Kesley Zlevor — who is next up in Allerton Park and Retreat Center’s Joan and Peter Hood In-Residence Program — was empowered to find ways that public spaces could be better designed for those who are experiencing depression. “Rooted in my role as a parks planning consultant … [Read more...] about Kelsey Zlevor is Fall 2023 resident
THANK YOU, JAN GILL!!
We recently celebrated the retirement of Associate Director of Business Operations Jan Gill. Jan started working at Allerton in 2015 as a retiree rehire after a successful 37-year career at the University of Illinois Office of Business and Financial Services, retiring as Assistant Controller in UAFR (University Accounting & Financial Reporting). She quickly began making her impact at Allerton, instituting new procedures and protocols that created necessary efficiencies for our growing … [Read more...] about THANK YOU, JAN GILL!!
History Happy Hour: Robert Allerton and the Art Institute of Chicago
(NOTE: THIS PRESENTATION WAS GIVEN AT A HISTORY HAPPY HOUR ON OCT. 19, 2023) Robert Allerton had a relationship with the Art Institute of Chicago for the entirety of his adult life. Before he went to Europe to study art, he took a few classes at the School of the Art Institute. He was an annual member, a governing life member, trustee, and then honorary president of the Board of Trustees. Each winter, Robert traveled extensively collecting art and inspiration. Much of his collected works … [Read more...] about History Happy Hour: Robert Allerton and the Art Institute of Chicago
Can you find the new fu dogs?!?
If you look verrrrrrry closely, you may see some new statues sitting regally atop the pedestals in the Fu Dog Garden. Thanks to the generosity of David and Debra Rathje, four new fu dogs were cast and produced by Colin Dyck of Mudslide Stoneware in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Staff recently put them in the garden, allowing for the restoration of pieces that had the most significant wear after being displayed outdoors for more than 90 years. Seen here are Allerton staff Leo Kinsella and Luke Rund … [Read more...] about Can you find the new fu dogs?!?
GEMS CONFERENCE HELD AT ALLERTON
About 60 people gathered in the Mansion to take part in the Genomics and Eco-Evolution of Multi-Scale Symbioses (GEMS) conference on Sept. 18-19, 2023. GEMS is a Biology Integration Institute funded by the National Science Foundation. It is based in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with partner institutions at Indiana University, The University of Chicago, New York University and University of North Carolina-Greensboro. One of the … [Read more...] about GEMS CONFERENCE HELD AT ALLERTON
Allerton a key site for microbe research
MONTICELLO — A research project that used old-growth forest at Allerton Park as an outdoor laboratory is trying to figure out whether soil microbes that have survived stressful environmental factors can help saplings do the same. Some preliminary findings of the research are found in a spring 2023 issue of Science News. “The goal of the research was to investigate if soil microbial communities could provide tolerance to future climates across forest ecosystems,” said Cassandra Allsup, a … [Read more...] about Allerton a key site for microbe research
Young authors love Allerton
Monticello siblings Gavyn and Alli Griesbaum are young, but they are also published authors, having their work "A Purposes for Prairies" published in the Illinois Audubon Society Summer 2003 magazine. “We are building neighborhoods everywhere and destroying animals' habitats,” Gavyn said in an article in the Piatt County Journal-Republican. “Putting a prairie in your yard would help them have more places to live.” Both are also fans of Allerton Park, according to the article. See … [Read more...] about Young authors love Allerton
Three People’s Choice awards for 2023
Allerton Park and Retreat Center has been named the top choice in three categories of The News-Gazette’s annual People’s Choice Awards. The park earned the Gold Award in these categories: — Parks — Walking/Hiking Trails — Outdoor Amusement News-Gazette Media Marketing Consultant McKinley Gerdes (far left in the photo) swung out to the park to deliver the awards. Representing Allerton in this photo are Park Supervisor Lucas Rund, Program Coordinator Felix Fuenty and Natural Areas Manager … [Read more...] about Three People’s Choice awards for 2023