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 activity they observed at Allerton — such as opening up the 1900-era Mansion more to the public, renovations to its hotel rooms and common spaces, and the start of The Farms: An Allerton Folk School — that convinced the Bement-area couple to take their support to another level.
The duo and park officials have announced a six-figure gift that will restore and renovate the Mansion Pine Room, a onetime library and office on the first floor that now hosts small corporate gatherings and classes. Their gift also provides an endowment to ensure that the space can be well maintained into the future.
“We’re really excited about the direction Allerton’s been going,” said Molly Tracy. “We support its vision and we love the improvements we see in all the areas of the park. We’ve been active in the community and it’s important to us to give back where you can see the impact of your giving.”
Tim wholeheartedly agrees, and has the knowledge to back it up after serving as business manager at Allerton in the early 2000s following an extensive career on campus at the U of I.
“I think the leadership here is what got me more involved, because we have the right people in the right places. I felt it was starting to turn the corner when I fully retired in 2015,” he said.
The Pine Room, named appropriately for its pine paneling, will get some tender loving care and furniture replacement and additions, including a built-in bench that mimics the Butternut Room and other updates. Plans are to fully utilize the upgraded space by continuing to host meetings and the occasional class through The Farms, and also make it more flexible for additional roles.
“The space will be more multi-functional compared to what it has been the past,” said Allerton Associate Director of Retreat Center and Programming Jordan Zech. “With a variety of seating options, nicer furnishings and a fresh look, it will be more appealing to corporate groups, more welcoming to hotel guests and allow us to think outside the box for its purpose.”
The pine panelling will also be refinished and treatments added to windows that offer a scenic view of the Mansion’s Reflecting Pond.
There is a University of Illinois thread flowing through the Tracy’s journey, as well as through Allerton. The park is owned by the U of I after being donated to the Urbana-Champaign university by Robert Allerton in 1946. And in addition to Tim’s long tenure with the university, Molly worked there between 1984 and her retirement in 2020, including twenty years in The Grainger College of Engineering and three years near the end of her tenure as Associate Dean & Chief Advancement Officer in the Gies College of Business.
They have been active in the community: Molly is a member of the Allerton Policy Advisory Board and a trustee of the St. Michael Catholic Church. Tim is actively involved with many local charities and civic organizations.
Living just down the road from the park helps them experience all aspects of Allerton, from special events to hiking the extensive trail system.
And they like what they see.
“The park’s vision to inspire and support a broader community is coming alive through the implementation of its strategic plan. The vision is easy to buy into and well executed by the outstanding employees and volunteers at Allerton. There are so many different activities people can enjoy. We love that,” said Molly.
