Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1948 [PAGE 41]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1946]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

39

respectively, necessary to adapt the Mayo General Hospital for University purposes. T h e Physical Plant Department requests authority to execute these contracts on the basis of proposals which it considers acceptable, at fixed fees in addition to the direct construction costs. On motion of General Davis, the appropriate officers of the Board were authorized to execute these contracts. The Executive Committee adjourned.

H . E. CUNNINGHAM, Clerk P A R K LIVINGSTON, CHESTER R. D A V I S KARL A. MEYER Chairman

MATTERS PRESENTED BY PRESIDENT STODDARD

The Board considered the following matters presented by the President of the University.

GIFT OF ROBERT ALLERTON AND PURCHASE OF RUGS (1) T h e University will soon receive from Mr. Robert Allerton his estate near Monticello, Illinois. This has been considered by the Board on a number of occasions, and the offer was formally accepted at the meeting on June 27, 1946. The estate consists of a large Georgian mansion which may be used for any purpose the University desires; a garden, forest, and prairie area of approximately 1,685 acres to be used for educational and research purposes, as a forest wildlife and plant reserve, as an example of landscape architectural gardening, and as a public p a r k ; approximately 4,500 acres of farm lands will endow the maintenance and operation of the estate. For several weeks Mr. Allerton has been considering revisions in his proposed deed of gift, which will make it even more attractive than when his offer was accepted by the Board of Trustees. T h e original proposal provided that the income from the farms may be used only for the operation and maintenance of the park area. H e is now providing that part of t h e income from the farms may be used for the operation and maintenance of the house, which is very important to the University. H e is also making changes in the deed of gift which will eliminate the contingent interest of parties other than the University and the general public. As a part of the acquisition of these splendid facilities for the promotion of educational, scientific, and general cultural interests, the University has been offered the opportunity of purchasing from the Chicago A r t Institute an unusual collection of thirty-six oriental rugs. These rugs were originally purchased for the Allerton House but are now the property of the A r t Institute. They are for the most part antique rugs of great value and have been offered to the University for the nominal sum of $5,000, which is a small fraction of their original cost and of their present market value. They belong and are needed in the Allerton House, and if they were not acquired now, ultimately some other, and perhaps less suitable, floor coverings will have to be purchased at probably greater cost. I recommend that the purchase of these rugs be authorized and that an appropriation of $5,000 be made from the General Reserve Fund for this purpose. T h e University will receive during the current farm-year income from the endowment farms which will offset by several times the cost of these rugs. Professor Britton outlined the terms of the draft of the deed as modified during conferences with M r . Allerton and his attorney, all changes being favorable to the University, and stated that he expected to receive the final draft of the deed within the next few days.

On motion of Mr. Williamson, the terms outlined were approved. On motion of Mrs. Grigsby, the purchase of rugs was approved, and the appropriation was made as recommended, by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Davis, Mr. Fornof, Mrs. Grigsby, Mr. Livingston, Mr. McKelvey, Mr. McLaughlin, Dr. Meyer, Mr. Williamson; no, none; absent, Mr. Green, Dr. Luken, Mr. Nickell.