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
Thank you for a great (fiscal) year!
Contributions from our donors have transformed Allerton over the past decade. Support from our Friends of Allerton ensures that we can continue to host new public programs, create more accessible ways to experience Allerton’s natural world, and renovate historic facilities to serve new purposes. Our Fiscal Year 2023 Impact Report outlines our efforts over the past year, as well as additional Park highlights, including: — $577,627 dollars raised from 927 donors — 82 first-time donors — 631 … [Read more...] about Thank you for a great (fiscal) year!
Allerton featured in Midwest Living
"The historic Allerton Park and Retreat Center unfolds like a set from Bridgerton… In the early 1900s, artists and socialites traveled to an Illinois estate to relax and create. Now you can, too, at the state’s first folk school." Those are the words of writer Ceil Miller Bochet, whose profile of Allerton can be found in a recent issue of Midwest Living. The article continues: “For the past decade, the University has offered arts and crafts programming at the estate, setting the stage … [Read more...] about Allerton featured in Midwest Living
Chicago area writers reflect on time at Allerton
MONTICELLO — Chicago writers Sandra Jackson-Opoku and Tina Jenkins Bell spent three weeks at Allerton in the spring/summer of 2023 as part of the Artist-In-Residence Rooting a Deeper Connection (RDC) program. RDC highlights and celebrates the arts and study of nature within Black and Latinx communities. Jackson-Opoku grew up in the Windy City and still resides there as she composes works of historical fiction, non-fiction and dramatic works, including the award-winning novel, The River Where … [Read more...] about Chicago area writers reflect on time at Allerton
Love at Allerton!
Fabian Tasson said it was love at first sight when he met his future wife Barb at a gathering more than five decades ago. “The moment I danced with her I knew I would spend my life with her,” he said. Sealing the deal was when Barb, a Central Illinois native, took him to Allerton Park for the first time. “Would you like to see a magical place?” she asked him. “It’s a magic place in the prairie in the middle of the corn and soybeans. I think you’re going to be shocked,” Barb … [Read more...] about Love at Allerton!
Solarium updates put new ‘light’ on Mansion space
MONTICELLO — The Mansion Solarium at Allerton Park and Retreat Center has always had one of the best indoor views at the Monticello-area park, with large windows looking out towards a reflecting pond and 14-acre meadow. After updates that were undertaken over the winter months, the Solarium is also a more flexible space with a mind towards being more public-facing. Included in the work was installation of a new bar, a large area rug that helps level portions of the original brick floor, … [Read more...] about Solarium updates put new ‘light’ on Mansion space
Allerton inducted into Old-Growth Forest Network
MONTICELLO — Allerton Park was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network on Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Staff from the Old-Growth Forest Network presented a plaque to Park officials at a short recognition ceremony followed by a hike to showcase the spectacular natural features of the park. Allerton Park, owned by the University of Illinois, consists of about 1,500 acres of natural areas. The Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI) surveyed Allerton Park in 1976 and 2008 … [Read more...] about Allerton inducted into Old-Growth Forest Network