Park Blog

It’s International Women’s Day (March 8, 2023) and a great day to celebrate all the strong and amazing women that helped Robert Allerton become the philanthropist and artist we know! At the age of seven, Robert’s mother Pamilla Allerton died from scarlet fever. Pamilla was much beloved by Robert’s father Samuel, but a second marriage to Pamilla’s sister, Agnes, gave Robert the mother figure he had lost. Agnes Thompson Allerton was an avid reader and philanthropist, donating hundreds of … [Read more...] about Celebrating International Women’s Day! (March 8, 2023)

MONTICELLO — Allerton Park & Retreat Center near Monticello has hosted poets, artists, musicians and playwrights during its In-Residence program that began in 2020. Now it’s time for a naturalist, which makes sense considering original estate developer Robert Allerton’s affinity for combining art and nature at what is now a unique 1,500-acre park owned by the University of Illinois. “Not only did Robert love and appreciate art in all its forms, but he also valued and appreciated the … [Read more...] about Naturalist-in-Residence applicants sought

Several talented artists are featured in this year’s (2022) Holiday GLOW. Here is more information on those artists and what is on display during this year’s Allerton outdoor lights show. Universe by artist John Bannon can be seen on the Gatehouse Lawn. The installation initially presents as a mirror-ball man spinning atop a radio tower, but upon closer inspection, there is more than meets the eye. Bannon says it would be easy to rely on the cool factor, but the more you look, the deeper … [Read more...] about GLOW artists (2022)

By Steve Hoffman Allerton Park and Retreat Center CHAMPAIGN — Karen Wood of Champaign has been “cooking up” spectacular holiday gingerbread displays for Einstein Bros. Bagels at 901 W. University St. in Champaign for 11 years, and her 2022 creation — which features Allerton Park — is her biggest yet. At 5 feet wide, 28 inches tall and 20 inches deep, it likely maxes out how large she can go unless she finds more baking space. “That’s about as big as I can go, because I have to be able … [Read more...] about Gingerbread Allerton on display in Champaign

MONTICELLO — A Matching Gift Challenge has been announced by Allerton Park & Retreat Center near Monticello. From now through Dec. 31, every dollar the public donates up to $25,000 total will be matched by the park advisory board. Park Director Derek Peterson said funds will go towards the Wandering Woods Walkway, a hard path that visitors will be able to access directly from the main parking lot. “This project is important to the overall vision of creating an accessible walkway for … [Read more...] about Matching Gift Challenge announced

MONTICELLO — When Joe Noecker was a kid living in Monticello, playing at Allerton Park was just a part of growing up. “We’d bike four miles out there, play football at the Sun Singer, hike the trails, pack lunches and eat out there,” Noecker said. “Being at Allerton was like a Huck Finn experience for me. But it wasn’t until adulthood that he found how strong the ties were between the Noeckers and Allerton Park. His grandparents — Ray and Vera Noecker — lived in the House In the Woods and … [Read more...] about Noecker family has extensive ties to historic House in the Woods

By Steve Hoffman MONTICELLO — The path toward the development of the Allerton Park & Retreat Center began when Samuel Allerton began purchasing acreage in Piatt County more than 150 years ago, but the land has a much longer history — and prehistory — than that. As a matter of fact, human use of the land that now makes up Allerton goes back at least 10,500 years, according to University of Illinois archaeologist Brian Adams, an associate scientist at the university’s Illinois State … [Read more...] about Prehistory of Allerton land outlined during talk

CONGRATULATIONS TO PETER LICHTENBERGER, who until recently was Allerton’s park supervisor, for being one of eight recipients of the 2022 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor’s Distinguished Staff Awards. He was cited for exceptional work that included volunteering for odd shifts in support of special events, knowledge of tasks, timely implementation, and elevating the skills of his employees and volunteers. Lichtenberger said he was “very honored to have received this award. … [Read more...] about Lichtenberger earns Chancellor’s Award