Allerton’s recent Visiting Resident, Jose Vazquez, has loved art since he can remember. “I think since I could hold a pencil, I knew exactly that’s what I wanted to do,” he said. “I wanted to do something in art.” While growing up in Chicago in the 80s and 90s, he was exposed to a lot of the “hip hop culture,” including graffiti, and was amazed at kids from his neighborhood who were doing public murals in spray paint. “I ended up being one of those kids who got into a ‘crew’ as a young … [Read more...] about Visiting Resident: Jose Vazquez
ILLINOIS ARBORETUM AWARDED LEVEL ONE ACCREDITATION BY ARBNET ACCREDITATION PROGRAM
URBANA, IL (April 2026) – The Illinois Arboretum on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana has been awarded a Level 1 Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. The accreditation comes a year after the formation of the new Division of Parks and Natural Spaces, which includes … [Read more...] about ILLINOIS ARBORETUM AWARDED LEVEL ONE ACCREDITATION BY ARBNET ACCREDITATION PROGRAM
Generosity of Tracy’s to help Pine Room renovation
MONTICELLO — Ivesdale native Tim Tracy has known and loved Allerton Park for decades. His wife Molly started a mutual admiration for the park upon moving from the Chicago suburbs to Central Illinois to attend the University of Illinois in 1980. Their connection to the park only increased when they married 10 years later and set up their home in Piatt County. For 35 years, they have enjoyed their proximity to Allerton Park as they raised their three children. However, it was more recent … [Read more...] about Generosity of Tracy’s to help Pine Room renovation
Gift to renovate Agnes’ Room in the Mansion
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 part of international Motus Wildlife Tracking System
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
Joha Harrison brings collage-making art as In-Residence program
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
DAVID RATHJE REMEMBERED
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
2025 Concert Series announced
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
