Park Blog

MONTICELLO — When Ken and Sari Aronson moved to East Central Illinois in 1988, they quickly fell in love with Allerton Park and Retreat Center. Lovers of both nature and architecture, Sari said it was the perfect place to go for a stroll with their pets. “We’re interested in architecture. We love gardens and you have this incredibly beautiful Mansion with these exquisitely planned Formal Gardens. It’s just amazing,” she said. So when the couple decided to give back, they knew just where to … [Read more...] about Gift to renovate Agnes’ Room in the Mansion

Allerton is proud to be a member of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, a collaborative network of researchers that uses radio telemetry to track various species of birds, bats and even insects. Allerton has three Motus towers: one in the prairie on the south side of the park, another on top of its water tower and a third near the Music Barn. Over the most recent year-long reporting period, seven northern saw-whet owls were fitted with transmitters locally and can now be tracked throughout the … [Read more...] about Allerton is part of international Motus Wildlife Tracking System

It’s been a unique journey for California-based artist Joha Harrison. Louisiana born and Georgia raised, he latched onto photography early and initially wanted to enter law enforcement as a crime scene photographer. But the confinement of covid brought out an artistic nature that had been bubbling under the surface so he switched gears, starting a collage/painting combo that is his current artistic passion. Harrison is the next Artist-in-Residence at Allerton Park and Retreat Center with a … [Read more...] about Joha Harrison brings collage-making art as In-Residence program

No matter where you look at Allerton, you can see the impact of David J. Rathje, who passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, June 1 at the age of 88. The generosity of David and his wife Debra transformed the way that visitors access the Mansion, creating a “grand entrance” and accessible drop-off with their first million-dollar donation for the David and Debra Rathje Drive in 2017. A couple of years later, another gift from the Rathjes brought Robert Allerton’s former bedroom back … [Read more...] about DAVID RATHJE REMEMBERED

MONTICELLO — From blues to alternative rock, Celtic to folk and Americana, the Allerton Park Concert Series presented by Cim-Tek Filtration will feature a wide variety of musical genres in 2025. Beginning with LOVE FOR ALLerton on June 6, the concert series will continue with Reds, Whites & the Blues on July 11, Irish Fest Aug. 1 and conclude with Summer’s End on Sept. 5. Local favorites such as Billy Galt & the Blues Deacons and Urbana-based Sass will take the stage, mixed with … [Read more...] about 2025 Concert Series announced

Our annual Retreat & Review, which gives you a recap of major happenings at the Park in 2024 has been published. Among the items in this year’s Retreat & Review: — The opening of Wandering Woods, the first fully accessible woodland trail at Allerton — A focus on hotel room renovations that were completed last year — Research at Allerton, including the Northern Saw-Whet Owl — A recap of a busy year for the In-Residence Program — The Farms: An Allerton Folk School and a focus on … [Read more...] about 2025 Retreat & Review Released

MONTICELLO — Allerton Park and Retreat Center has another artist on site — the 20th of its six-year In-Residence Program. New York-based painter Patrick Neal will spend time creating art as well as talking about his methods during a public talk on April 17. Neal generally uses oil and watercolor to show his processes in his works, which include a wide range of subjects portrayed in colorful, impressionistic ways. The painter, who also writes prolifically about art, says he often goes into … [Read more...] about New York-based artist plans Allerton residency

A substantial lead gift from Joan and Peter Hood will help “get the ball rolling” on improvements in Allerton Park and Retreat Center’s Artisan Village. Their donation will support programming and long-term facility care for The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, in addition to serving as a contingency to supplement initial construction costs. The Hoods, who live in Urbana, are longtime supporters of the University of Illinois, where both had distinguished careers. The gift is in memory of … [Read more...] about Lead gift to name and support MacFarlane Artisan Village