Robert Allerton (1873 - 1964) stood to inherit a stockyard and banking fortune from his father, Samuel Allerton, ranked as Chicago's third wealthiest man of his day. Robert took an interest in literature, music, gardening, and visual arts from his step-mother (and aunt) after his widowed father married his late wife's sister. The family lived on Prairie Avenue, neighbors to the Marshall Fields, the Pullmans, and the Armours. Instead of going to college, Robert went with a friend to study art in Europe for over 5 years. Upon his return from Europe, Robert told his father he wanted to be a farmer. With his vast wealth, Robert's father bought land in Piatt County of Illinois. Through inheritance, purchase, and trade, "The Farms" consisted of 12,000 acres by 1914. He hired managers to run the farm while he built a home and gardens along the Sangamon river running through the tract. In 1946 he donated over 5000 acres including the home and gardens and land to provide income for the maintenance of the property to the
University of Illinois. Today, approximately 1500 acres of "The Farms" comprise the
Allerton Park & Retreat Center.
In 1898, Robert went to England to visit country houses and landscaped gardens. From this visit he planned his home together with friend and architect, John J. Borie. Construction began in 1899 and the house was more or less completed in 1900. The brick and stone exterior, the modified H plan, and the long gallery are all characteristics that recall seventeenth-century English precedents, in particular
Ham House at Richmond, Surrey. Allerton wanted to see earth, sky, and water from every room. The main rooms open to terraces, lawns, and a formal pool. From his bedroom window, Robert could see the meadow, the reflecting pond, and the Sangamon River.
Several formal gardens surround the house. Each has a collection of statues, hedges, and other plantings. Many of these were designed in collaboration with his in-live architect and protege (and son, adopted as an adult), John Gregg.
Allerton is operated under the guidance of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Allerton Mansion (Retreat Center) is used as a retreat and conference facility by University, state, and corporate clients. The natural areas of the Park are used by a variety of University departments, as well as other universities and conservation agencies, for environmental study and for participatory student interactions. Public programs, with a strong environmental emphasis, are available throughout the year. Private events, like weddings and picnics, can be held at the Park.
The
Fu Dog Garden was originally designed in 1932 to display Robert Allerton's collection of Chinese Fu Dogs. Twenty-two blue, ceramic Fu Dogs are perched atop concrete pedestals which form the focal point of the garden. Opposing double rows of fir trees (44 in all) define the outer borders of the garden space and are under planted with clusters of white flowers. Although much of it has grown over since it was originally planted, a restoration process has begun.
The Gatehouse is at the entrance to the drive leading to the main house. Allerton Park is an intriguing place to visit. It is not customary to find this type of lavish living in the "middle of a cornfield." Yet, the place is no longer (if it ever was?) at its prime. Many of the gardens are overgrown and time has taken its toll on several of the statues.
In 1898, Robert went to England to visit country houses and landscaped gardens. From this visit he planned his home together with friend and architect, John J. Borie. Construction began in 1899 and the house was more or less completed in 1900. The brick and stone exterior, the modified H plan, and the long gallery are all characteristics that recall seventeenth-century English precedents, in particular Ham House at Richmond, Surrey. Allerton wanted to see earth, sky, and water from every room. The main rooms open to terraces, lawns, and a formal pool. From his bedroom window, Robert could see the meadow, the reflecting pond, and the Sangamon River.
Several formal gardens surround the house. Each has a collection of statues, hedges, and other plantings. Many of these were designed in collaboration with his in-live architect and protege (and son, adopted as an adult), John Gregg.
Allerton is operated under the guidance of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Allerton Mansion (Retreat Center) is used as a retreat and conference facility by University, state, and corporate clients. The natural areas of the Park are used by a variety of University departments, as well as other universities and conservation agencies, for environmental study and for participatory student interactions. Public programs, with a strong environmental emphasis, are available throughout the year. Private events, like weddings and picnics, can be held at the Park.
The Fu Dog Garden was originally designed in 1932 to display Robert Allerton's collection of Chinese Fu Dogs. Twenty-two blue, ceramic Fu Dogs are perched atop concrete pedestals which form the focal point of the garden. Opposing double rows of fir trees (44 in all) define the outer borders of the garden space and are under planted with clusters of white flowers. Although much of it has grown over since it was originally planted, a restoration process has begun.
The Gatehouse is at the entrance to the drive leading to the main house. Allerton Park is an intriguing place to visit. It is not customary to find this type of lavish living in the "middle of a cornfield." Yet, the place is no longer (if it ever was?) at its prime. Many of the gardens are overgrown and time has taken its toll on several of the statues. 
3 comments:
Hello! I just came across your website because I am getting married at Allerton Park and was looking for pictures. Would you mind if I used a couple of your photos for our wedding website and parts of your blog post? If not, I totally understand. Thank you for the interesting post :)
Sure, you can use the pictures. There was a wedding or two setting up the day I visited... nice settings. The text is from Allerton info. Best wishes!
Thanks a lot :)
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