Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1948 [PAGE 118]

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[October 22

GIFT OF MR. ROBERT ALLERTON (4) Mr. Robert Allerton of Monticello, Illinois, has given the University his beautiful country estate for educational and research purposes to be used as a forest, wild life, and plant life reserve, as an example of landscape gardening, and as a public park. This homestead includes an English-Georgian mansion, other buildings, and approximately 1,500 acres of garden, park, and forest areas. A part of the homestead area has been deeded to the Board of Trustees for the specific purpose of providing a site for a 4-H Club Camp and 4-H Club activities. The homestead is described in his deed of gift as the "Woodland Property." At the suggestion of the University, it will be known as the "Robert Allerton Park." T o endow this park, Mr. Allerton has also given the University farm lands, the income from which is to be used for the maintenance and operation of the park, including the house. This is a magnificent gift to the University and to the general public. It will provide the University new facilities for educational and research services in many fields. It will also provide a unique center for conferences, institutes, and special activities. The Board of Trustees has previously accepted Mr. Allerton's gift. I now present two indentures between Mr. Allerton and the Board of Trustees, one conveying to the University the "Woodland Property" and the endowment farms, and the other conveying to the Board of Trustees of the University the land to be used as a 4-H Club Camp and for 4-H Club activities. These deeds will be recorded in the Piatt County Court House. I suggest that they be printed in full in the minutes of the Board of Trustees. (See appendix, page 155). In addition to the previous formal acknowledgment of this gift by the Board of Trustees, I should like to ask that the Board now record an expression of deep appreciation on behalf of the University and of the people of Illinois for this splendid gift made to them by Mr. Robert Allerton. I should like also to record my personal appreciation to Mr. Robert Allerton, Mr. John Gregg, and Mr. A. L. Green, Counsel for Mr. Allerton, for their fine attitude and cooperation in the negotiations we have had with respect to the terms of his gift.

On motion of Mr. McLaughlin, the Secretary, in collaboration with the President of the University and the Legal Counsel, was instructed to prepare a suitable resolution of appreciation of Mr. Allerton's generous gift and report it to the Board. The Board adjourned, at 12:20 a.m., to meet at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. SESSION ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1946 When the Board convened at n a.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 1946, at the University Club, in Chicago, the following members were present: President Livingston, Mr. Davis, Mr. Fornof, Mrs. Grigsby, Dr. Luken, Mr. McKelvey, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Williamson. During the forenoon, Dr. Meyer and Mr. Nickell took their places with the Board. President Stoddard was present; also Mr. A. J. Janata, Assistant to the President, Mr. H. E. Cunningham, Secretary, Mr. I. L. Porter, Treasurer, Mr. Lloyd Morey, Comptroller, Dr. A. C. Ivy, Vice-President for the Chicago Colleges, Professor C. R. Griffith, Provost, Professor W. E. Britton, Legal Counsel, Mr. D. E. Dickason, Director of Nonacademic Personnel, and Mr. J. F. Wright, Director of Public Information.