1947/01/08: C. E. Godshalk to Jean Cudahy (3.85865)
Date: January 8 1947Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Jean Cudahy telling her that the classes at the Arboretum are being well-attended: 43 in Mrs. Watt's class, 51 for Mr. Nordine's class, and 68 projects signed up for the landscape class. The attendees are so enthusiastic it is gratifying to help them. Mr. and Mrs. Hinds of Glen Ellyn had asked if they could take wood from the Arboretum's limb wood pile for students at the Art Institute. A student named Eldon Danhausen won the $2000 Art Institute Travelling Fellowship for a year's study in France with a carving from a piece of the Arboretum's limb wood. He shares the schedule Mrs. Watt's would like to follow for her upcoming trip. He has sent it to Mr. Parmelee. If Mrs. Cudahy would like to cut out any part of the trip, it will be done. He had a talk with Judge Knoc[k] with respect to Mr. Henderson's zoning law violation. The judge told him he was unable to discuss the matter with him, and he didn't see how the Arboretum could do much in the way of testimony since the case didn't affect it. Godshalk plans to talk to Mr. Baker about the matter. Mrs. Culbertson and two other members of the Glencoe Garden Club spoke to Godshalk about the possibility of the Arboretum providing plants for the club to test in their lakeside county, as the plants the Arboretum generally grows do not do well in their conditions. Godshalk thinks this is a good idea, but told the garden club members the matter would have to be referred to the Board. If Mrs. Cudahy thinks it is a good idea, he will send them some surplus plants this spring.
Extent: 3 sheets
1947/12/29: C. E. Godshalk to Jean Cudahy (3.85866)
Date: December 29 1947Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C.E. Godshalk to Jean Cudahy saying he hopes the Christmas trees arrived in time. Everyone had a nice Christmas except for Miss Arthur who was called to Fort Wayne to attend to her aunt. Godshalk had a very happy Christmas at his house, and he thanks Mrs. Cudahy for the two antique plates she sent. About forty of their friends planned a surprise 25th wedding anniversary party for them at the Leland Hotel in Aurora. The Arboretum has completed the majority of their winter tree moving. Next they will work in the woods and get started on the outside restrooms. He has Loehman remodeling the sawhorses for the tables given to the Arboretum by the Garden Club of Illinois; they will be needed for the landscape class. Loehman is also working on the hog house which will be ready by farrowing season. He encloses correspondence from Mr. Sterling Morton. Mr. Dahlmeyer wanted to know if the Arboretum would help in taking action against Mr. Henderson; if he wins his case, the zoning laws in DuPage County may break down and someone may try to build a manufacturing plant near the Arboretum. He assumes her thoughts about the situation are the same as her brother's, but he doesn't want to do anything without her approval. He would like Mrs. Cudahy's approval to get in touch with Mr. Baker if necessary. He encloses the October and November reports. They should be pretty well supplied with materials sold at the information windows. He hopes to have all the materials needed for the two outside restrooms within a week. The dealer in Warrenville has promised the cement for when they need it. He hopes they can get the plumbing fixtures, another scarce item. He hopes she had a pleasant Christmas.
Extent: 2 sheets
1948/02/26: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.84447)
Date: February 26 1948Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk suggesting that the new trustee, Mr. Baker, could be of substantial help with the attempt to prevent the industrialization of DuPage County. If the Arboretum shouldn't contribute directly to the committee, he would be willing to join with Mrs. Cudahy in making a personal contribution to the defense fund. He thought it was interesting Godshalk was getting good use of the chain saw. Morton hired a man to remove six big eucalyptus trees, and he used a chain saw to do so. It's been very dry in California, and there are water restrictions. Luckily Morton has a well that yields enough water to keep things going including his new plantings. He believes he will lose some of the older trees.
Extent: 2 sheets
1948/03/03: C. E. Godshalk to Jean Morton Cudahy (3.85917)
Date: March 3 1948Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Jean Morton Cudahy saying March has come in like a lion with seven inches of snow. The construction of the Thornhill Building restrooms will be delayed until better weather. Loehman is finished with the hog house and is preparing to plaster the bird room. He asks for clarification on how Palm's will be paid for the work at Thornhill. With regard to the Henderson case, Sterling Morton wrote to Godshalk asking him to contact Mr. Baker to see if Arboretum funds may be used to help in the Henderson case. Even with the heavy snow Monday night, they still had heavy class attendance. Practically all the models are complete, and they will invite people from other classes to come in and examine the models. All the classes will assemble at 9:00 to have a question and answer period. He updates her on the hog operation. They plan to give two pigs to Wayne Hoepner to raise for 4-H. He saw Mark Morton and he seems to be in good spirits. Mrs. Watts feels the Arboretum's education work is far superior to any she saw on her trip. Life Magazine is only interested in the landscape class if they could have before pictures, pictures of the models, and after pictures of the gardens which Godshalk believes will be impractical. He is glad Mrs. Cudahy is coming home early in April to enjoy the spring bloom.
Extent: 2 sheets
1952/01/28: C. E. Godshalk to Jean Morton Cudahy (3.85973)
Date: January 28 1952Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Jean Morton Cudahy telling her they moved some hemlocks and planted some yews into the openings along the Thornhill entrance walk. He hopes the predicted light snow will come before classes tonight; class attendance has been excellent so far. He and Lowell appreciated the book she sent: Driftwood and Dried Arrangements by Tatsuo Ishioto. It is fascinating and should help them in their hobby. Before the winter is over, he expects to have a couple dozen put together. He will have Mr. Baker prepare a release for the Holabirds to sign. Dr. Voigt is going to talk to his Kiwanis Club on Wednesday evening. The greenhouse on the University property is finished, and they expect to begin using it in a few weeks.
Extent: 1 sheet
1952/02/02: C. E. Godshalk to Jean Morton Cudahy (3.85974)
Date: February 2 1952Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Jean Morton Cudahy saying he has received a letter (dated January 30) from Christopher Holabird saying he and his mother are willing to give up any interest they may have in the bird sanctuary at no charge to the Arboretum. They believe they have been more than repaid in services rendered to them. He would like to know how the Arboretum is going to use the bird sanctuary, and Godshalk has written to him sharing those plans they know of at the present time. Ed Baker does not believe they need a signed release, as there is not a written agreement with the Holabirds. Mrs. Watts would like to try a small class (15-20 people) there, and if so, announcements should go out in the next few weeks. She suggests that the class run for about a week. She also suggests they build double decker bunks in the storage building and use the cottage for meals, perhaps provided by local church women. Godshalk will go out to the property in the next few days to check out the feasibility of her proposed plan, and he will check with the local church women of Lisle to see if they would be willing to handle the meals. He will write again as soon as he acquires more information.
Extent: 1 sheet
1952/04/08: Edward H. Baker, Jr. to C. E. Godshalk (3.86095)
Date: April 8 1952Creator: Baker Jr., Edward H.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Edward H. Baker, Jr. to C. E. Godshalk asking if the stone marker for Mark Morton's grave has been set and if it appears satisfactory.
Extent: 1 sheet
1952/04/10: C. E. Godshalk to Edward H. Baker, Jr. (3.86096)
Date: April 10 1952Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Edward H. Baker, Jr. stating that the stone marker for Mark Morton's grave was set, and it appears to be satisfactory. Baker should pay the Charles G. Blake Company bill.
Extent: 1 sheet
1953/09/16: Sterling Morton to The Trustees of the Morton Arboretum (3.101894)
Date: December 14 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to the Trustees of the Morton Arboretum.
The architectural firm of Holabird & Root & Burgee are working on an addition to the Administration Building, to include laboratories, offices, and an adjoining propagating greenhouse. He feels this would be a suitable memorial to our late Chairman. Feeling that the active members of the Board of Trustees should in addition to their general duties, have special interest in particular phases of the work I am appointing committees as follows: Finances and Investments: Mr. King and Mr. Zurcher - Grounds, Roads, Plantings. etc. : Mr. Peterkin and Mr. Zurcher - Building and House Committee: Mrs. Zurcher and Mr. Baker. The duties of the first two committees are, of course, obvious. The third committee will have general supervision of the furnishings, decoration, etc. of the Administration and Thornhill Buildings. In addition, it will from time to time inspect all other buildings of the Arboretum, make recommendations on their usefulness. maintenance, repairs, etc. It will also be its province to recommend new structures, if needed, and to consult on the design thereof.
He welcomes recommendations of a suitable person to fill the vacancy of Chairman, and he spells out the qualifications to include residence in the Chicago area and interest in the basic objectives of the Arboretum.
Extent: 2 sheets
1953/10/07: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101896)
Date: October 7 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He gladly sends his check for $40 for the Christmas toy program. He appreciates the information on various plants for his Lake Forest property. He hasn't determined where the house will be, but he has in mind an area for plants. Ed Baker will have information on pensions for a decision at the next meeting. Based on his experience with the Salt Company and employee housing, it is more important to have housing for the manual workers than for the technicians and scientists. Also the two groups should not be housed together, not because of the employees themselves, but difficulties with the families. He likes the new Skil pruning saw and would like to borrow it for his firewood. The application from Rutgers is worth pursuing. Have your accounting ready for Arthur Andersen before the next meeting. He noticed many changes along Butterfield Rd.
Extent: 2 sheets
1953/10/30: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101899)
Date: October 30 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. You can order the post hole digger before the Trustees approve of it. Rather than adding more men, I want you to add other labor saving machinery. As housing developments get nearer, we will need to fence the entire Arboretum. Draw up an annual fencing plan to submit to the Trustees, using your new post hole digger and your existing crew. For the housing project, ask Mr. Steinbrecher to run a survey of the two locations we have tentatively decided on, giving contours at 25 ft. intervals. You could then sketch in houses, drives, sanitary arrangements before inviting in the architects. Also check with Steinbrecher about the cost of updating our 20 year old general plot of the Arboretum. He is pleased with the preliminary layout of the laboratory building and he thinks something very good will develop out of it.
Extent: 2 sheets
1954/02/24: Clarence E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84472)
Date: February 24 1954Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Mrs. Langdon Pearce of Winnetka, would appreciate a note from you, thanking her for her recent gift to the Arboretum. She gave us a collection of butterflies and moths of about a thousand different kinds; This collection is housed in a very fine cherry cabinet. She also gave two expensively-bound volumes of butterfly plates and descriptions by Mr. S. F. Denton. These are both valuable additions to our nature education equipment. I have written to her to thank her and to tell her that he is having a label made to show that it was a gift from her. Lewis C. Weber of Chicago was granted permission to photograph mushrooms and lichens in the Arboretum provided that he gives duplicates of his slides to the Arboretum; recently he has sent us 109 slides, all labeled which we will use in our education programs. Mr. Ed Baker, who was here to look at some re-decorating to be done in the Administration Building, told me you'd be here in March; I hope to see you then.
Extent: 2 sheets
1954/06/15: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101922)
Date: June 15 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. After their recent meeting, he feels he has a better understanding of things. Ed Baker is finishing up the Johnson and Lacey projects, except one detail which must go in the deed, preventing the possibility of erecting buildings on the right-of-way except with the approval of the Board of Trustees. He wants to stake out locations for a dozen more pine trees. He has determined the house location and will have the old road taken out.
Extent: 1 sheet
1954/08/03: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84474)
Date: August 3 1954Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton enclosing some bills for plants purchased for Morton for his Lake Forest home. Ed Baker says that the deeds have been turned over for the Lacey and Johnson lands, so they will be able to begin work on them. He is happy they have worked out the plans for a cooperative arrangement with the Natural History Survey and for getting the laboratory and greenhouse additions underway. Ed had talked to Mrs. Zurcher about the houses. The Arboretum looks exceptionally well for this time of year.
Extent: 1 sheet
1954/08/18: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101926)
Date: August 18 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk, thanking him for taking care of the Lake Forest plants. He's glad to see Mr. Baker is back from his ranch in Wyoming. Now that the Lacey and Johnson lands are clear Godshalk can begin to work on them. "It will be interesting to see what comes back in the way of underbrush in the Johnson woods which have been so heavily pastured for so many years." The fall classes look very interesting. Mrs. Watts is 'most ingenious.' Please keep on Mrs. Zurcher and Mr. Baker on the building program. He compares flights on several airplanes.
Extent: 2 sheets
1954/08/26: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84475)
Date: August 26 1954Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton updating him on events at the Arboretum. Mrs. Zurcher has approved the plans for the window at Thornhill and the plaques, describing them to Morton. The housing is at a standstill. They applied the grub control at the correct time. He also plans to treat for weeds. They are patching the roads, and he hopes to get approval from Ed on the method of handling their fencing program along the new land. They will not be attending the Shade Tree Conference in Atlantic City this year. Kammerer and Eickhorst ate taking the station wagon and going on a collecting and study trip out east. Mrs. Watts wants to go to a conservation meeting at Louis Bromfield's place. These trips should about use up their travel fund for the year. He discusses a possible treatment plan for fire blight and the sick elms. He proposes a fix for the porch roof of his house.
Extent: 3 sheets
1954/09/09: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84476)
Date: September 9 1954Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton. Godshalk, Ed Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Zurcher, and Mr. Ward met to go over the building plans. He summarizes the results of the discussion about the housing project for staff. He shares their proposed plan for the Arboretum to update the border of the Arboretum and for the Arboretum to cease farming, renting out any remaining farm land. White, their present farm foreman, would like to rent the land while remaining an employee of the Arboretum, with time off to plant and harvest. Extending the Arboretum boundaries will save on taxes. Godshalk plans to tear down the farm buildings. Tony (Tyznik) and Godshalk will have a plan drawn up by the Trustees meeting showing the recommended new boundaries of the Arboretum. He will do his best to get something lined up for the purchase of the Yackley, Herboth, McMahon, and Jones lands. Cases of Dutch elm disease have been reported in Aurora and Highland Park. He has arranged for Dr. Tehon or one of his men to speak at two meetings for professionals in the Chicago area about how to recognize Dutch elm disease and oak wilt and prevent their spread. They will demonstrate how to treat the trees. The Arboretum will also have exhibits showing how to recognize symptoms of these diseases and will give out sheets on control measures for visitors.
Extent: 3 sheets
1954/09/22: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84477)
Date: September 22 1954Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton stating he recalls that Morton preferred the house project plan where it ultimately ended up at South Farm. He will send Morton a copy of the plan. He prepared a map of the proposed changes for Ed (Baker) and his committee to present to the rest of the trustees. Proposals include:
Selling two parcels of land to Mr. Scott to straighten out the north boundary of the Arboretum.
Henry White will lease the rest of the available farm land for $12 per acre. He will remain a full-time Arboretum employee, and his son-in-law, who is a farmer, will work on the land with him.
Godshalk ordered a new Ford tractor with a back hoe on the back. It cost $5460. He details how they will use the new piece of equipment.
He will send Morton a map showing the following:
New staff houses
Four labor houses and who will live in them. The South Farm house should be torn down and two more labor houses will be needed.
If four more labor houses are built in 1956, they can clean up four old houses.
They will tear down the farm buildings and the big old South Farm house, and he propose building a new shop.
The Herboths at one time said they would deed their land to the Arboretum at their deaths. Herboth bought the Yackley land. Ed Baker proposes that the trustees buy both pieces of property now, giving the Herboth’s a life lease. Herboth and his wife seem agreeable to that proposal but want some time to think it over. Godshalk would like them to sell the Arboretum the Yackley property outright and keep the life lease on their current property. They are still working on purchasing the Jones and McMahon properties.
Godshalk would like to use the Lisle Farms operation bank balance for the improvements at South Farm.
Extent: 4 sheets
1954/12/28 : Clarence E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.101778)
Date: December 28 1954Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Clarence E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton who is in Santa Barbara, California. They had the staff Christmas party and invited wives of all employees, since some live on the grounds. The farm sale brought in $8000. He details the equipment sold and kept for the Arboretum. He mentions the livestock, which is being fed out. Some of the equipment not sold was upgraded in a trade-in deal. Afterwards they should have $30,000 - $40,000 in cash from Lisle Farms. They are cementing in fencing posts along the Lacey property and can add the wire before spring. They have torn down the hog house, the chicken house and the horse barn at the home farm. Plans are underway for the new South Farm buildings and the housing development. Ed Baker will be challenging the proposed routing of the Toll Road. Once the weather is cold enough they will move the pines. Thanks from all of the staff for adding to the Christmas season.
Extent: 2 sheets
1954/12/28: Clarence E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.101941)
Date: December 28 1954Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Clarence E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton, in Santa Barbara to update him. They invited the wives of all employees to the Christmas party. There were 45 people in all. He details the results of the farm equipment sale, which brought in $8,000. The sheep and steer are being fed out. Some equipment was kept for Arboretum use. After the sale they used $5,700 to pay the difference on equipment that was traded-in, which he itemized. Ed Myers, the mechanic, will overhaul the cub tractors, which will be traded-in later for newer models. Ever after modernizing the Arboretum equipment, they should have between $30,000 and $40,000 cash to turn over from Lisle Farms. The posts are cemented for the cyclone fence along the Lacey land, and they can put the wire on before spring. At South Farm they are tearing down the corn crib, the old hog house, the chicken house and the horse barn at the home. Fischer's man is gathering data for the South Farm improvement and housing development, which will later go out for bid. Ed Baker will tell the Toll Road Commission that their plan is not acceptable, namely through the center of the University of Illinois land, the SE corner of the Arboretum and the N side of the Public Service line.
Extent: 2 sheets
1955/01/04: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.104939)
Date: January 4 1955Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk attaching a copy of his response to a letter appreciative of the Arboretum written by Mrs. DuShane. He is glad the party on the 28th was a success,. He discusses how they will handle the potential new toll road that will impact the Arboretum. He is impressed with Mr. Fisher's study. He suggests that Godshalk not save any of the doubtful lumber. The work at Morton's house is progressing. Godshalk has cleaned out old equipment not being used and spent the money on new equipment the Arboretum needs. Morton believes the more they can do mechanically, the better. Morton states that the trustees have set an ambitious construction plan, and the additional funds will help. He notes that due to rising prices, the construction should be done sooner rather than later. Morton likes his Gravely tractor pretty well, describing its features. He is writing to Ed Baker about the toll road matter. Christmas in California was wonderful. He closes with a discussion of dangerous driving.
Extent: 3 sheets
1955/01/19: Clarence E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84479)
Date: January 15 1955Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Godshalk wanted to write last week, but his mother, at a Hinsdale nursing home for two years, passed away. He is now preparing a talk for tomorrow at the Indiana Nurserymen's Convention at Purdue. He is continuing tearing down buildings, and building galvanized fences at new entrance at South Farm the picnic area parking lot and new drive near gate by his house. The site behind the Administration Building is ready for the construction of the new building; putting in new septic tank designed by Holabird and Root so that old one will be torn out before excavating for the new building starts. That work starts tomorrow. Because of the delay in the decision about the Toll Road, we are undecided about our spring research plantings; we plan all these plantings for this spring northwest of Pine Hill where they will be out of the way for the three-year period which is the minimum time during which they should remain undisturbed. Mr. Larson from Hinsdale is a biochemist studying certain soil deficiencies for twenty years, is interested in helping us prove that many tree diseases are caused by certain soil deficiencies As a result of our research program, we should be able to have many enlightening exhibits here. The handling of mulch is one of the most inefficient operations here and it is for this reason that I have purchased a baler. We are trying to modernize all our equipment.
Extent: 2 sheets
1955/01/25: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.104940)
Date: January 25 1955Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk expressing sympathy on the death of his mother. He offers some suggestions for the proposed new buildings. He discusses the proposed new tollway; he is glad Mr. Larson, a biochemist, is taking an interest. He agrees with Godshalk's modernization of the machinery and equipment. He asks if Godshalk expects to attend the Shade Tree Congress. Morton gives his opinion about the housing project. He likes the continuous one-way road plan the best and goes on to discuss his opinion of the layout of the roads and entrances.
Extent: 3 sheets
1955/02/10: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84480)
Date: February 10 1955Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton updating him on changes in the new laboratory wing. He also spoke of their preference for the position of the new toll road. Godshalk drew up a plan to eliminate left turns at the Route 53 entrance which he passed along to Powills. He encloses a suggested plan for the roads in the Arboretum's interior which could be carried out as soon as the Arboretum acquires the Jones land. The housing project will be moved 200 feet south giving a deeper screening area from the road. Godshalk may attend the National Shade Tree Conference this year, also visiting some experimental areas around the conference location. The have almost closed out the farming operations, selling the steers for a profit of $3968.85. They should have over $35,000.00 to transfer to the Arboretum after using the equipment sale money to modernize a lot of the Arboretum's older equipment. They are installing a new septic system for the Administration Building.
Extent: 2 sheets
1955/02/16: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.104941)
Date: February 16 1955Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk saying Ed is working on getting some things straightened out at the Arboretum. Morton is happy they are taking out the steps in the lecture room and sloping the entire floor which will give better visibility. He suggests that a platform be put behind the information desk, so the employee may be seated while interacting with the public, but be at their level while they are standing. He hopes it will be possible to go ahead and obtain bids for the project in March. He wants to give careful study to Godshalk's plan for the entrances. He says it is nice that Godshalk is so confident the Arboretum can secure the Jones land. The Shade Tree Conference is in September, and they would be happy for Godshalk to stay with them if he attends, but would understand if he would rather stay at the headquarters. He congratulates Godshalk on the liquidation of the farm. The toll road situation seems somewhat fluid, but Morton is happy there will be 618 feet from Warrenville Road for the south boundary of the toll road.
Extent: 3 sheets
1955/03/18: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.104943)
Date: March 18 1955Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk returning the memos from the Salt Producers Association and Mr. Larson. He trusts that the salt treatment will save many elms, and it will increase the use of salt. They should encourage Mr. Larson in his experiments, but the Arboretum staff shouldn't put much time and effort into it. Morton has been laid up during the major part of his trip to Chicago, so he probably won't be able to make it out to the Arboretum. However, Ed Baker and the Zurchers have given him a general idea of what is going on. While laid up, he went over the final plans from Holabird & Root. He thinks that the Building Committee has done an excellent job straightening out the details. He thinks that the road and housing projects are under good control. The tollway location is still indefinite. He is glad Godshalk has completely recovered from his illness.
Extent: 2 sheets
1955/04/12: Sterling Morton to Chicago Tribune Editor (3.104949)
Date: April 12 1955Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:A copy of a letter in which Sterling Morton thanks the Chicago Tribune for the fine editorial on April 10 praising the work that is being done at The Morton Arboretum. With the coming blossom season will come increased traffic jams in all directions. What is needed is an underpass under Route 53 to connect both sides of the Arboretum. The proposed coming of the east/west toll road should also have an impact. He requests continued coverage by the automobile editor, Hal Foust. He also suggests the Tribune airplane could fly over and document the traffic backups. He appreciates the coverage and exposure the Tribune has given them. Copies of this letter were sent to Godshalk and E. H. Baker, Jr.
Extent: 1 sheet
1955/05/05: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84485)
Date: May 5 1955Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton saying he has been busy with spring work and checking the drawings from Holabird and Root. The contract was given to Carroll Construction Company; he thinks they will do a good job as they did good work on the Thornhill Building. Jones has accepted a down payment on the eleven acres. The Arboretum is at least two weeks earlier in the blooming season. They have started test fertilizer and mulch plots. They are also running tests with salt on grass and trees. They have started an area showing the public how to grow fruit trees and bushes. They had one of the largest crowds ever this past Sunday. They took pictures to show what the traffic is like during busy times. He had to get after the Howard Fischer outfit, as not much seemed to be getting done. Having the equipment they need is a great advantage.
Extent: 2 sheets
1955/05/10: Pat Adams to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.109022)
Date: May 10 1955Creator: Adams, Clayton J.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Pat Adams to Clarence E. Godshalk. Ed Baker asked him to review the insurance coverage on the present buildings and equipment. Adams requests an inventory with approximate valuations of this equipment. This request is made in conjunction with the new construction being planned. Adams enjoyed his visit last week to the Arboretum.
Extent: 1 sheet
1955/06/09: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84486)
Date: June 9 1955Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton stating how much he, Mrs. Godshalk, and Arboretum staff are enjoying his reports. Due to the rain, they are having trouble keeping up with the outside work. However, it looks like most of the sod will be saved. He updates him on the progress of the new building. Mr. Hubbard said the plans for the South Farm remodeling are almost ready for bids, and the data for the architecture competition for the new housing project is ready for printing. The Supreme Court has cleared everything for the new toll road; Godshalk has collected numerous pictures of the heavy traffic due to the Arboretum. Mr. Hattis, who is working on the new water system, has requested a complete topographic map. Tony Tyznik completed the project. The Arboretum had a great many visitors this spring. Heman Howard, Assistant Horticulturist of the Arnold Arboretum, was much impressed during his visit. The purchase of the Jones property is almost completed. Mr. Wallack is trying to sell his 2.05 acres in the middle of the Arboretum. Godshalk believes he will have a difficult time due to the high asking price and the questionable right of way.
Extent: 2 sheets
1955/08/25: E. H. Baker to Sterling Morton (3.104965)
Date: August 25 1955Creator: Baker Jr., Edward H.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Edward H. Baker, Jr. to Sterling Morton about South Farm Buildings. Howard Fisher has prepared detailed plans and specifications for the buildings. Baker suggested we only submit these to Carroll Construction so that we might learn from the results before we submit to multiple bidders. Enclosed is a sketch. He details each of the 10 buildings, its purpose and the amount of remodeling needed. Buildings 1, 3, 8 and 10 involve new construction. The bid from Carroll Construction was for $170,830.00 and involved site work, paving and parking lot. Baker feels that prices for buildings 1, 8 and 10 were reasonable. The rest was excessive. Carroll specializes in new construction with known costs. In remodeling he had to build in extra funds for unknowns. Based on this, Baker met with Howard Fisher and they decided: 1) Have Godshalk with Arboretum men and equipment prepare for construction of buildings 1, 8 and 10. After this construction is complete, he can finish the site work for the remaining buildings. 2) Negotiate a contract with Carroll Construction to build the shells for buildings 1, 8 and 10. 3) Negotiate a bid for the mechanicals and pay Carroll 5% for supervising their installation. 4) After new construction is finished, have Clarence do the remodeling of buildings 7 and 9. 5) Hold the remodeling of buildings 2, 4, 5 and 6 and construction of building 3 until later. Baker thinks that Clarence's time and efforts should go into managing the Arboretum and planning for future programs. A small contractor could be hired to oversee the remodeling of buildings 7 and 9. Baker would like construction on buildings 1, 8 and 10 to be complete before winter. Building 8 will hold the heating system for buildings 7-10. Building 10 will have the hydraulic lift and machine shop. He is requesting the Trustees to appropriate $80,000 for construction and mechanicals for these 3 buildings.
Extent: 4 sheets
1955/08/26: Clarence E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.104967)
Date: August 26 1955Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Clarence E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton. He is pleased to hear that the Arboretum will be getting the Gravely tractor that Morton has tested on his property in Santa Barbara. He hopes that Morton's fall will not trouble him. For a 70 year old man, he says that Morton is doing very well. He reminisces about Joy Morton's 70th birthday party. Godshalk also tells stories of his own father, still doing some farm work at 82. The first floor will be poured soon, brick work after that, and steel men will install framework for the Lecture Room. The men are taking down the old chimney to prepare for removing the roof. He and Web Crowley will see the Beckman Flame Photometer equipment in Chicago. He learned from Dr. Carter of Edgar Rex of the New Jersey State Department of Agriculture who might be doing research "along the line we propose on Dutch Elm Disease and Oak Wilt." Carter was "excited about the prospects of our nutrient studies for the pathologists are about convinced there is little more to be done for Dutch Elm Disease." Ed Baker mentioned a new machine that detects changes in leaf color and structure that he will investigate. The men are getting the building sites prepared at South Farm. Godshalk anticipates a very busy fall.
Extent: 2 sheets
1955/09/05: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.104973)
Date: September 5 1955Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Go ahead with your trip up north. Dr. Miller, President of [Northwestern] University will arrange a tour for you of the [Morton Medical] Research Building. He is familiar with the Sunbeam sprinkler. The model that rolls up is cumbersome because the grass clippings stick to the hose and make it difficult to roll. The model that doesn't roll up is satisfactory. It will go around corners, and he shares his solution. Mr. Baker mentions that Hattis is drawing up figures for an underground sprinkler system. Some are better than other; advantages and disadvantages to each. He's glad to see the construction progress on the Administration Building. He's glad they are going ahead with clearing sites at the South Farm while Carroll's equipment is there. He will return to Chicago for the fall, until December.
Extent: 2 sheets
1955/10/21: E. H. Baker to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.109029)
Date: November 21 1955Creator: Baker Jr., Edward H.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from E. H. Baker to Clarence E. Godshalk. After Mr. Parmalee's death, Baker became aware that insurance coverage was handled through several different channels, resulting in overlaps and gaps. He is pursuing an audit of all insurance policies. He is requesting a list of the policies presently in effect, the piece of equipment that is covered, the dates covered, the dates the premiums are due, and the type of coverage, including the limits of liability and the comprehensive coverage. He wants a simple and easily understood plan for coverage.
Extent: 1 sheet
1956/01/18: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84499)
Date: January 18 1956Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C .E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton updating him on the construction going on around the Arboretum. They should soon know how the plans for the Toll Road will affect the Arboretum. Godshalk would like to interview Gordon Scott for the open position in public relations. Mr. Frye of Arthur Anderson & Company streamlined the bookkeeping. Godshalk then discusses staffing changes he would like to make. He would like to add a record keeping position. He hasn't yet had time to make up an order for plants for Morton's place but will soon do so for an early spring delivery.
Extent: 2 sheets
1956/01/30: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84500)
Date: January 30 1956Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton updating him on the planning he has done for Morton's property in Illinois. He also updates him on the progress of the construction going on around the Arboretum. The deal for the Jones land has been completed. Now they will work on purchasing the McMahon land. They should soon know how the new toll road will affect the Arboretum; it looks like they are still planning on going on the south side of the Arboretum. He explains why Jones, as a janitor, is also a good bookkeeper. Mr. Scott is due to arrive for his interview on February 8. Dr. Carter and Dr. Campana from the Illinois Natural History Survey were at the Arboretum to discuss plans for working together when the new laboratory is completed. Pat Chapman of the Morton Salt Company is writing an article for the "Sprout" on the new research program and the housing project.
Extent: 3 sheets