1959/02/11: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105046)
Date: February 11 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He understands that Godshalk is keeping his bird feeding operations quiet from the newspapers to not draw attention. Morton comments amusingly that birds could take themselves easily to a more congenial climate. He thinks the idea of making pre-cast concrete blocks at the Arboretum is an "excellent" one. He offers several suggestions to make them interesting and durable. Those at the housing project did not have enough contrasting colors in the imbedded pebbles to make them attractive. He suggests talking with Mr. Ward at Holabird and Root for ideas. Tell Arnold that he recognizes Jim Allison in the photo, and he has much praise for Allison. Arnold's father Fred was Allison's foreman in South Chicago and Wyoming. He likes the interior photos of rooms that Godshalk has taken. He laments his difficulties with interior photos and discusses several ideas and options to eliminate the reflections in glass and mirrors. He asks Godshalk to tell him how he was successful with the photos so that he can get better results. California weather has been hot and dry. He suggests that the "awful" Chicago winter will mean a hot summer.
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/02/12: Sterling Morton to Robert Ward (3.105047)
Date: February 12 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Robert Ward of Holabird and Root. He requests that Ward meet with Clarence Godshalk to work out samples and a plan to cast concrete slabs with imbedded pebbles. Godshalk has "some pretty good artisans" who could create these during winter days indoors. Morton is ready to start work on the wall but he wants Mrs. Zurcher to be "satisfied" with it. He requests Ward to contact her.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/07/23: Robert A. Ward to Sterling Morton 1959/07/23 1959/07/23: Robert A. Ward to Sterling Morton (3.105059)
Date: July 23 1959Creator: Ward, Robert A.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Robert A. Ward to Sterling Morton regarding some of the materials used to build the Thornhill Building.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/07/23: Sterling Morton to Robert Ward (3.105060)
Date: July 23 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Robert Ward regarding construction of some Arboretum buildings.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/07/30: Sterling Morton to Robert A. Ward (3.105062)
Date: July 30 2959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Robert A. Ward. He is pleased to hear that wooden treads will work out well for the terrace steps. He thinks of them like park benches, with heavy wood, rounded at the edges. He thinks they might be open, with coarse gravel or light concrete underneath. He feels these steps would be a transition between the formal terrace and the more informal grass area. He's glad to hear that the stucco on the Thornhill Building can be treated so that it doesn't come off. Other stonework should be inspected and pointing done where needed. Repair the existing steps until a final design decision is made. Walls should tie into the buildings, for example the path leading to the greenhouse should have a short wall coming from the building to the path. He agrees with Godshalk that the Thornhill terrace should have a short wall capped in Lannon stone, no more than 20 inches high. The total terrace should be no longer than the Great Room. He doesn't like the idea of pebbled concrete, but concedes that stone paving would be too expensive. He offers the suggestion that "a rather nice design could be worked out with stone or good concrete dividers between brick or ceramic pavers." Above all it must have good drainage, with a solidly tamped base of limestone screenings. similar to European palace courtyards. He would like to see the sketches that Mr. Barsch had proposed for the Gloriet, along with price estimate. They will go directly from California to New York on their way to Africa, so he will not be in Chicago until November. He requests a "tracing of the two rooms and toilet at the southeast corner of the Thornhill Building." Mrs. Cudahy used that area as her office during her chairmanship. "Just a tracing will be enough for me to play around with."
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/08/06: Robert A. Ward to Sterling Morton (3.105063)
Date: August 6 1959Creator: Ward, Robert A.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Robert A. Ward to Sterling Morton. Enclosed are estimates of work to be done. Mr. Godshalk feels that double doors would be safer than a revolving door, and it would be less expensive. Mr. Schwab states that it would be better to remove the stucco rather than try to repair the cracks. For the terrace at Thornhill, he states that the change in grade is too slight to add wood tread steps. He feels granite would be more satisfactory. He will send the tracing of the two rooms, sketches of the gloriette and a print of the proposed terrace. Please submit an alternate address to send them while they are traveling.
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/08/20: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.105065)
Date: August 20 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk relating that they had to cancel their trip to Africa due to Mrs. Morton's digestive issues. Martha and Fritz have gone on the trip. Godshalk has received copies of the letters Morton wrote to Ed Baker and Holabird referring to the items of repair work he think should be done. He agrees with Godshalk that the details omitted from the bid should be covered. He told Godshalk to update Bob Ward on these matters if he hasn't already done so. Morton believes it is important to have air conditioning in the big room as well as the other classrooms. Morton is waiting on the terrace wall until he can see it staked out. He thinks the large black and white pebbles in the pebble concrete will look best. He asks Godshalk's opinion on using crushed stone instead; maintenance would be much less. He agrees that granite steps would be ideal, but much more expensive than the Lannon stone. He agrees with Godshalk that wooden steps, replaced at regular intervals, would be best. He is glad Godshalk agrees with adding a low wall to the south terrace at Thornhill. He asks Godshalk's opinion on the wall specifications. Morton is glad the work is going well on the new road. He thinks there will probably be a wait for the steel beams if Godshalk doesn't already have them due to a possible company showdown. Morton goes on to say that Godshalk should suggest to the media that they discourage visitors to the Arboretum this fall due to all the construction going on. Morton hopes Godshalk has provided for adding trees to the parking lots; Old Orchard's parking lot looks good. Morton hopes to get to Chicago for a short visit before too long, but they may need to stay in Santa Barbara if Mrs. Morton needs surgery.
Extent: 3 sheets
1959/08/31: [Sterling Morton] to Robert Ward (3.105066)
Date: August 31 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from [Sterling Morton] to Robert Ward (Holabird & Root) stating that the plans for the proposed terminal building on the Hedge Garden vista have been sent to Mrs. Zurcher for her comments. He goes on to give his opinion of the plans. He would like to do a mock-up before proceeding with the construction. Using mock-ups at his home was very successful in crystalizing their plans. He asks if the Library Room walls need patching. He agrees that the stockroom should be re-plastered after the other work has been completed. He is willing to go along with the recommendations of their Structural Department regarding the outside. He is glad to see that the vestibule for the double doors can be put inside Thornhill. He would prefer regular doors to the Ellison doors.
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/10/20: Sterling Morton to Robert Ward (3.105073)
Date: October 20 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Robert Ward. He is requesting sketches to be presented to the Trustees of designs for gatehouses on each side of the underpass, with free parking outside the gates. For the ticket takers, the gatehouses should have heat, minimal toilet facilities and a window to collect fees on the days that are not free admission. These should conform to the current decor of the main buildings. He specifies in great detail about roads in and out of the Arboretum. There is a penciled comment about the roads at the bottom.
Extent: 2 sheets
1960/07/09: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.105099)
Date: July 9 1960Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk offering his suggestions for improvements on the terrace area outside the rotunda. He asks Godshalk to make sure Morton's Thimble fountain is on its way. He asks Godshalk's opinion about men in cars at the locations of the future gate-houses. He hopes Godshalk has arranged to see Mr. Boehmer (gates) and the architects to work out a plan for the gates and gate-houses. Handwritten on back of letter: "Holabird & Root (Mr. Ward) on designing the gate posts for the clover leaf. Mr. Morton mentions in his letter that a Mr. Beohmer is furnishing the iron gates.
Extent: 2 sheets
1960/07/18: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.105102)
Date: July 18 1960Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk stating it is not necessary to provide any further accounting of the expenses of his trip abroad; Morton is satisfied with what he has seen and believes the Arboretum will benefit from Godshalk's trip. He is sorry to see the cleaning of Lake Marmo was suspended. With respect to the parking lots, Morton would like to see strips between the rows of cars planted with trees and shrubbery. He notes that the Holden Arboretum charges 35 cents admission. While some of the trustees are dubious about charging an admission fee at the Morton Arboretum, Morton thinks it is the only way to pay for necessary expenses like gatemen, patrolmen, etc. He asks him to keep after Mr. Ward on the gate house plans. There is no sign of the Thimble fountain. He goes on to give his opinion of the Los Angeles convention. Other than the gate houses and gates and improvements to the Hedge Garden, he is unwilling to take on any further projects at this time.
Extent: 2 sheets
1960/07/22: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.105104)
Date: July 22 1960Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton stating Morton's letter is exactly what he wanted to use to answer Roy Nordine and Dr. Carleton about the proposed training school. Godshalk has done little about it due to time constraints. He has been thinking of something more along the lines of the program at Longwood Gardens where they take on 9-10 students, and they rotate them throughout the organization. They had a final inspection from the State Highway Department on the Route 53 job, and all was ok. They hope to have Lake Marmo cleaned by the end of next week, ready to deepen it. The settling basin work has been going well. Tony has the parking area nearly ready for the curb man. Holabird & Root says the gate and Control House drawings will be ready by August 1. Mr. Boehmer will have the iron gates ready in time. Mr. Ward met with Mr. Carroll to get the work on Thornhill completed before fall classes.
Extent: 2 sheets