1953/09/16: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101893)
Date: September 16 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He praised Godshalk for the talk he gave at the National Shade Tree Conference. It's consistent with Joy Morton's wishes for the Arboretum. He requests copies of the talk to distribute to Trustees with a cover letter describing the quality program that Godshalk has created. He would like something from Holabird and Root to present at the annual meeting. He enclosed a copy of a letter he sent to Trustees about committee assignments, hoping they will be active while he is away.
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
1953/11/16: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101900)
Date: November 16 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk, dictated on 3 different dates. He would like additional copies of the report to give to Mr. Hamill and Wirt. He feels the Holabird & Root plan for the gallery has too much glass and would be hard to heat. He will talk with Mrs. Zurcher about other ideas. He would like the Trustees to get more involved to lighten the load on himself and Godshalk. He remarks that he and Wirt are the only two left from the beginning of the Arboretum, and Wirt is inactive. He is looking for recommendations for a new Board Member. On 12/08/1953, he discusses in great detail a Skilsaw chainsaw as well as a pneumatic tree trimmer.
Extent: 2 sheets
1954/07/07: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101925)
Date: July 7 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. In the Holabird & Root project for the greenhouse and workroom, Morton questions what is included in the estimate. He suggests that Godshalk try to do as much of the paving, flagstone and other masonry work with local stonemasons to keep it out of both Holabird & Root and the general contractor's percentages. He hopes they are able to get started soon to finish before winter. He related that the general contractor for the Morton Medical
Research Building at Northwestern University found Holabird & Root so precise and exacting that contractors needed to bid higher when they were involved. For a long-term university building, that amount of precise detail was a good thing, he agreed. They are having lovely weather in Santa Barbara.
Extent: 2 sheets
1954/09/28: Sterling Morton to Holabird & Root & Burgee (3.101927)
Date: August 28 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Holabird & Root & Burgee. He received the preliminary drawings covering the new bronze memorial panel for the lobby of the Administration Building, new marble memorial panel for the Thornhill House entrance lobby, drawings of new metal frames for doors and windows on the south wall of the main room of Thornhill House, and also suggested reroofing on the porch of the Godshalk residence. He thinks double pane windows at Thornhill should reduce the cost of heating. He offers suggestion for changes for the doors and transoms. The plastic roof on the porch at Godshalk residence will let in more light than canvas would. Copies sent to Godshalk and Mrs. Zurcher. If Mrs. Zurcher has comments on the memorial panels he will consider them.
Extent: 1 sheet
1954/09/27: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101930)
Date: September 27 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He comments at length on various ongoing projects. He approves the sale to Mr. Scott of the lands and 2 buildings north of the quarter section line. He approves tearing down unnecessary farm buildings, but will discuss in more detail when they meet on October 20. He approves the transfer of equipment from Lisle Farms which the Arboretum can use, and to keep 3 men on the Lisle Farms payroll until clean up is completed next March. He approves of the general project for 12 houses, including a well, which should be located and dug as soon as possible. He is prepared to enter into an arrangement with the Herboths which would give the Arboretum their property and the Ackley property. He has signed the proposal from Lord & Burham, which can proceed. He likes the new Ford tractor which could save labor costs if properly operated and maintained. He approves of the suggested arrangement with White and his son in law. White is of more value to the Arboretum than doing the farming. He is glad that Ed is working to acquire the McMahan property and the Jones property. He offers the suggestion that they might consider selling some of the outlying properties to raise the money. Any balance in the Lisle Farms account should go toward cleaning up South Farm. He comments on politics in Washington.
Extent: 3 sheets
Detail of the New WD. Memorial Panel for Administration Building of The Morton Arboretum (3.104346)
Date: August 26 1954Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Description:Sheet numbered A-4. Text: This building erected in memory of Joy Morton, founder of The Morton Arboretum. The gift of Jean Morton Cudahy, 1935.
Collection has issuances of sheet A-4 dated August 18 and August 26, 1954.
Extent: 1 sheet
1955/02/22: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.104942)
Date: February 22 1955Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk giving him his thoughts on the proposed entrances, the underpass, widening Route 53, and a new bridge north and west of the housing project, commenting on the traffic flow issues. He agrees that there should only be one entrance to the Arboretum on normal days. On the whole, he thinks that the plan has been very well worked out.
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
1955/03/30: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.104946)
Date: March 30 1955Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk noting the memo of additional points from Mr. Root's office. He encloses two nice letters from people who appreciate the Arboretum. He was pretty miserable flying back with a bad cold, but is rapidly recovering in the California sunshine.
Extent: 1 sheet
1956/01/25: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.104978)
Date: January 25 1956Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He's glad to hear of progress on buildings. He is sorry to hear of several deaths: Martin Carroll, Joe Burgee and John Holabird. He is aware of discussion about the new tollway. Being able to acquire several miles of right-of-way at once, should make the highway department be sensitive to positioning it favorably to Morton Arboretum. He has landscape sketches from Wagstaff to make the Lake Forest place nearly maintenance-free. In the plan could an Alpine currant hedge substitute for some of the yews? Parking spaces need to be longer and longer as the American cars are getting so much bigger. There were compliments about Godshalk's talk at the Shade Tree Conference.
Extent: 3 sheets
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
1959/07/28: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105061)
Date: July 28 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter 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.
Extent: 3 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
1959/09/16: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.105069)
Date: September 16 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk stating he doesn't like the new sketch for the proposed architectural feature at the end of the hedge garden vista any more than he did the first one. He believes they need a fairly heavy and massive structure; he would be in favor of putting a fence around it. He will try to get his ideas across to the architect. He asks Godshalk if he knows of a chemical that can be put in small holes in stumps that would rot them. He wrote Mrs. Zurcher about the work he has authorized at Thornhill; he hopes Carroll will get going on it immediately. He thinks the doors will take more designing.
Extent: 2 sheets
1960/06/28: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105096)
Date: June 28 1960Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He talked with Arthur Myhrum about the proposed fountain. Mrs. Zurcher thought the fountain should have some architectural input. He details the height, spread, pumps, basin lining, and locations of the fountain and pumps. For the Arboretum entrances, he suggests removable posts or a chain to prevent "gate crashers" when the Arboretum is closed. Godshalk can proceed with the plan to have a deputy, with headquarters in a car, at the gatehouses. He feels they should consider having a constant patrol during various parts of the day.
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
1960/07/22: 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
1960/08/26: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105113)
Date: August 26 1960Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. In Holabird and Root's drawings for the gate posts, he questions the gates swinging in opposing directions. He prefers they swing in the same direction, with a center post of 6-8 inch pipe filled with concrete and set in a concrete base that they could be fastened to. He also discusses the creation of a fountain.
Extent: 1 sheet
1957/08/27: C. E. Godshalk to Mr. Ford (3.107188)
Date: August 27 1957Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter confirming a telephone conversation pertaining to the greenhouse heating.
Extent: 1 page
1943/04/26: Holabird & Root to Mr. T. Koenig (3.108900)
Date: April 26 1943Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Document
Description:Letter informing Mr. Koenig that the Morton Arboretum has approved the price for furnishing and installing two ventilators in the roof of the Administration Building. Requesting the work be done in June.
Proposed Terraces for [Administration Building] The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (3.31577)
Date: September 11 1956Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Description:Collection has preliminary plans with various titles, dates, and in various sizes.
Revised version of plan dated September 5, 1956.
Extent: 1 sheet
Morton Residence at Thornhill, pool (3.3404)
Date: 1924Type: Photographic image
Description:Morton Residence at Thornhill, pool
Designed by Holabird & Roche ?
The dogs were sculpted by Mark Morton & daughter, Jane
Extent: 1 photograph
Administration Group for The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois: Administration Building (3.5452)
Date: September 26 1934Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Map
Description:Sheets are numbered 1-12, construction plans, and M1-M3, utility installation drawings.
Sheet 12 (71 cm x 45 cm) has date Oct. 29, 1934.
Extent: 15 sheets
New research wing, greenhouses, and service building for the Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (3.5453)
Date: March 24 1955Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Description:The research wing constructed in 1955 as an addition to the Administration building ceased to house research activities in 1982, the year in which the new Research Center was added. At the later date, the 1955 structure became a functional administrative structure. The plans contain 5 subsets: A-1--A-14, architectural drawings; S-1 -- S-6,structural drawings; M-2 --M-7, mechanical drawings; E-1 -- E-6, electrical drawings; and CE-1, civil engineering drawing. This copy is missing M-1 and CE-2.
Extent: 33 sheets in binder
Layout of Chases for Morton Arboretum, Administration Building, Lisle, Illinois (3.5454)
Date: June 30 – August 10 1955Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Description:"Shop Drawing no. 1-6." Plans presumably contracted for by Holabird & Root & Burgee, architects, Chicago, Illinois, the prime contractor for constuction of the addition to the Administration Building. "Approved as built…"
Extent: 6 sheets in binder
Lighting and Electric Power Plan, New Research Wing, Greenhouses, and Sevice Building for the Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (3.5455)
Date: June 15 1955Creator: Super Electric Construction Co.
Type: Plan
Description:Plans contracted for by Holabird & Root & Burgee, architects, Chicago, Illinois, the prime contractor for construction of the addition to the Administration Building. Sheets numbered E-1--E-6.
Extent: 6 sheets
Details for Rebuilding Cold Room, Alterations to Present Cold Room for Morton Arboretum, Illinois (3.5456)
Date: November 30 1956Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Extent: 4 sheets in binder
Gatehouses, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (3.5464)
Date: September 23 – October 3 1960Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Description:Sheets numbered A-1, Gates; A-2, Gatehouses; and E-1,Gatehouse-Lighting, Power, & Telephones.
Extent: 3 sheets in binder
Gatehouses, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (3.5465)
Date: September 21 1960Creator: Carroll Construction Co.
Type: Plan
Description:Lannon cut stone & veneer details, Morton Arboretum gatehouse.
Extent: 1 sheet
Proposed Alterations for Superintendent's Res., Morton Arboretum, Thornhill Drive, Lisle, Illinois (3.5478)
Date: July 30 1954Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Description:Handwritten.: "D7, N.W.C. Rt. 53 & Indian Hill Dr."
Alterations, i.e.a porch, made to the first Arboretum Superintendent's residence. The structure now stands in Arbordale. Architectural plans for the residence, prepared in 1922, are located in the collection under STRU:B I (a) 5.
Extent: 1 sheet
Proposed Cottage, Morton Arboretum, Glen Ellyn, Illinois (3.5479)
Date: July 20 1922Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Description:First superintendendent's residence constructed on Thornhill Drive and subsequently moved to Arbordale, 4S102 Lincoln Drive.
Extent: 7 sheets in binder
New Entrance, Administration Building, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois (3.5512)
Date: May 24 1956Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Description:Sheets numbered A-1 and A-2.
Extent: 2 sheet in binder
Country Residence, Library Addition by Mr. Joy Morton, Lisle, Illinois (3.5539)
Date: September 1922Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Description:Sheets numbered 1-13, 13a, 14-16 (2 sheets each ), 16b, 17 ( 2 sheets), 27, 33a, 35, 39a, 53, 55, S-1, and two without numbers.
Extent: 28 sheets, stapled plus 4 duplicate pages
[Thornhill] Residence [Reinforcing Steel Architectural Plans for the Library Addition] (3.5540)
Date: October 3 1922Creator: Holabird & Root
Type: Plan
Extent: 6 sheets