1959/07/28: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk

Identifier3.105061

TypeDocument

Date createdJuly 28 1959

DescriptionLetter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Commenting on the Holabird & Root memorandum, he is not in favor of custom built cabinets as was specified. He thinks that local craftsmen or cabinets from a catalog will do fine. He suggests Dr. Paul M. Angle, Director of Chicago Historical Society could provide ideas. He approves of a wall running parallel to the laboratory wing, but it should be made of ledge or Lannon stone. Franz Lipp has an excellent craftsman who put up the wall in the Lake Forest house. He feels this same material should be carried around the terrace where a wall is needed. He is not in favor of steps all the way around. He will veto any wall that is as rough outside as the walls of the laboratory building. He feels those rough walls were a mistake. For treads on steps, he favors wood strips with spaces between and bolted into concrete frames or brackets, with light concrete underneath to keep out grass. These would be self-cleaning and easily maintained or repaired. For Thornhill Building, he favors a low wall and narrower steps than exist there now. If they were pitched slightly outward that would prevent winter damage. He is curious as to the lookout tower that Mr. Bartch has in mind. As the trees continue to grow, would it need to be elevated? He feels there should be an architectural feature at the end of the long allee. He approves of Mrs. Watts taking the little office on the second floor of the stackroom portion of the library. When she is ready to retire, he would like to have her continue on a consultancy basis. He gives her great credit for the educational program and states that she will be difficult to replace.  He equates her leaving the Arboretum with his feelings when Garfield King left the Salt Company. Because Thornhill is a formal building architecturally, he favors the terrace with slate blocks or rectangular stone. The grass could come all the way up to the low stone wall. He continues with detailed suggestions of stone type, mesh underlayment and source of stone.  He's pleased to hear of progress on Route 53, the new lake, underpass, etc.  They are enjoying California in the summer. 

Related EntitiesGodshalk, Clarence E. (received by)
Holabird & Root (is related to)
Angle, Paul M. (is related to)
Lipp, Franz (is related to)
Watts, May Theilgaard (is related to)
King, Garfield (is related to)
Barsch, Mr. (is related to)

LanguageEnglish