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
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
1954/06/15: 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
1954/08/18: 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
1954/12/28: 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
1955/01/25: 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
1955/02/16: 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
1955/08/25: 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
1956/04/05: Sterling Morton to Edward H. Baker, Jr. (3.104987)
Date: April 5 1956Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Edward H. Baker. He discusses in detail his thoughts on the tollway and its impact on Morton Arboretum. "The stretch of right-of-way the toll road authorities can secure from the Arboretum is probably one of the longest to be secured from private individuals." That should give extra bargaining power and leverage in location and other requests. The land to the south of the tollway should be disposed of. Property values are increasing here, which should be to their advantage. It appears that the Arboretum boundaries are largely determined. Godshalk can proceed with fencing plans, road development, housing and water development.
Extent: 2 sheets
1956/04/09: Edward H. Baker to Sterling Morton (3.104989)
Date: April 9 1956Creator: Baker Jr., Edward H.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Edward H. Baker to Sterling Morton, in reply to his letter of April 5, 1956. The course of the toll road is roughly as Morton wanted, but there is no final agreement yet. There are several problems. The cloverleaf will permit exit and entrance from the east only. The turnoff curve as proposed will take too much land. Morton is proposing that Rte 53 will be four lanes under the tollway. The Highway commission will only put in a tunnel under an existing road [Rte 53] and not under the proposed tollway to access the Lacey land . There have been no discussions of land acquisition or right-of-way, none of which is the domain of the State Highway Engineers. He contemplates a visit in Springfield with the Chief of the State Highway section, but doubts the success there. Also he mentioned DuPage County Representative, John King, but this is an election year. For the property south of the tollway, Baker has several ideas which he will discuss the next time he and Morton can meet.
Extent: 3 sheets
1956/07/11: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.104990)
Date: July 11 1956Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Mrs. Zurcher, Mr. Fisher and Morton selected 7 houses to build, plus a few extras. Building is slow now, and perhaps they can get "some efficient operator" to build them to provide much needed facilities for staff. He asked Fisher about the Jaffrey house, with the idea that the second floor be removed to make it a "large commodious single family house in a commanding position in the operating center of the Arboretum." If the highway cloverleaf requires the removal of the two south houses, there will be a greater need for another house in this location. Mr. Fisher has heard that the highway department will pay up to $1/per yard for "good accessible fill". This might help pay for the underpass. He is pleased to get back to a house [Santa Barbara] where everything is in working order. Lake Forest has problems. He won't bother Godshalk with plantings for Lake Forest, but would like some of the crabapples, yews and thorns for someone else to oversee.
Extent: 2 sheets
1956/09/03: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.104995)
Date: September 3 1956Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He is pleased to hear of the progress on the new building. If a few items are left unfinished before the meeting, that will help people see the progress that has been made. Victor Zurcher was impressed with the efficiency of the new work center at South Farm. He is pleased that Godshalk will be able to cover the work on the trees at $10 per tree in the regular budget. He hopes the new climber will be a positive addition. Test holes where he would like to build another lake show the soil is just what the highway department will want for fill. Godshalk should work with Zurcher and Ed Baker to get a good price for it. He would not be upset if the lake only fills to the level of the river, but doesn't want to see any of the dirty river water enter the new lake. He details other measures connected to the new lake, including putting in a new dam. Because of the dire need for a solution to Dutch elm disease, he is willing to try any effort. Mrs. Zurcher reports Dutch elm disease on a tree on the Lake Forest property. Morton recommends that it be tested, as it might be drooping because of the 17 year cicadas. He will condense his speech to 10 minutes for the meeting so that guest will be able to give full attention to the main speaker. Help from Argonne Laboratories to trace the circulation within trees with radioactive materials would give insight in the Dutch elm problem.
Extent: 2 sheets
1957/02/08: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.105017)
Date: February 8 1957Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk sharing his opinions on possible charges for admission/classes at the Arboretum. His first reaction to charging an admission fee is unfavorable although he realizes that Godshalk is having policing troubles, and the fee might help pay for the policing. If they do charge an admission fee, he believes it is better to wait until the Arboretum has a single entrance. Mr. Baker will have to explore the legality of the charge and its possible affect on their tax-exempt status. If there is a charge, there should also be free days. He thinks that the charge for the education program is too high. He believes there should be a charge for each busload of people if the people get off the bus to listen to the lecturer. He doesn't believe they should charge for the Cub Scout leaders training course. He believes class tickets should be printed like coupons, payment made at purchase, be nontransferable, and refunds should be 50% of the amount unused. The class should be at least self-sustaining. He also gives his ideas about people attending just one class of a series and guests.
Extent: 2 sheets
1957/02/13: Sterling Morton to C.E. Godshalk (3.105018)
Date: February 13 1957Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C.E. Godshalk stating he hopes Godshalk's expectations with respect to the gravel and fill sale will work out, giving the Arboretum a lake and some extra funds for road improvements at the Arboretum. If the construction workers do not put up a fence, Morton expects Godshalk will need to keep a man working in the area to keep the heavy machinery off Arboretum property. He is happy to hear Godshalk is in the house moving business and that all the plants have been moved to Lake Forest. Morton wonders about Godshalk's remark about many entrances after the clover-leaf is put in; Morton had the impression that the housing area would be fenced off from the rest of the Arboretum. They should give careful thought before adopting an admission plan. He is not a fan of an admission fee, but believes people should be charged for classes. The list of slides looks interesting. He likes the seasonal arrangement. Morton will add some autumn photos of his own. The Contraflex is a nice machine, especially for close-ups.
Extent: 2 sheets
1957/09/11: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105029)
Date: September 11 1957Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:A letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk congratulating him on Arboretum successes and providing him with his own updates.
Extent: 2 sheets
1957/09/13: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105030)
Date: September 13 1957Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He has a copy of Godshalk's letter to Dr. Howard Salins. Salins has added a top sentence about treated trees, and a footnote accusing the Arboretum of "malpractices and vandalisms". He knows that Salins has little or no scientific standing. He is sending this copy to Ed Baker in case future legal action against Salins is necessary.
Extent: 1 sheet
1957/10/09: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105033)
Date: October 9 1957Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. After his visit to Morton Arboretum today, he is amazed at the amount of change. He understands that Godshalk wants to get as much done so that he can get back to a more relaxed normal.
Extent: 1 sheet
1958/04/18: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.105038)
Date: April 18 1958Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk sharing his thoughts on acquiring the Herboth and Mulacek properties. Morton noticed a large ad in the Tribune for Valley View Estates with The Morton Arboretum featured in the foreground. He thinks the area may flood even with the new bridge and channel. The lots in the Skokie District flooded until Ickes got the Skokie Lagoons Project underway to improve the drainage. He gives his thoughts about the Herboth life tenancy deal. He is glad the housing project and the bridge at 53 are moving along. He talks about his frog and snail issues. They are getting their home ready to be part of a garden club tour.
Extent: 2 sheets
Undated: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.105040)
Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Handwritten note from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk saying they should start calling the new lake Arbor Lake and the village Arbor Dale.
Extent: 1 sheet
1958/12/26: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.105043)
Date: December 26 1958Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk saying he will leave some more of the slides that they have eliminated in Ed Baker's office. Morton also made a list of the numbers of the slides they would like to borrow if the Garden Club party comes off. He thinks the party was a success.
Handwritten on the bottom of the letter: "Thanks [ ] for the nice note [ ] sent me His handwriting is about as [bad] as mine!"
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/01/13: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105045)
Date: January 13 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. They had beautiful flying weather to California and were glad to leave Chicago's weather behind. He discusses a letter from Ed Baker and the right of way for the gas line, hoping to keep it in line with the power lines, and giving them 50 feet reserve strip along the highway for possible plantings. Lowell Kammerer sent him a nice thank you note. He hopes Mrs. Kammerer is recovering from her surgery. He has edited his Japanese slides and hopes she will be well enough the next time he shows them. Once he receives the case with slides he will correct the mountings that gave problems. He hopes the families are comfortable in their new homes and that they have been able to keep them warm during the cold spell.
Extent: 1 sheet
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
1960/02/15: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105088)
Date: February 15 1960Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He's sorry to hear of Mrs. Watts [medical] misfortune. He will write her in the hospital. He is in favor of working with Dr. Carleton for students to work at the Arboretum in "a practical manner." Work with Ed [Baker] to make sure the "Arboretum doesn't get the short end of the stick". He saw the sketch plan for the Exhibit in Amsterdam. He is pleased that Morton Arboretum is well represented. He's also glad that Godshalk will get his long-awaited trip. Morton plans to attend the International Chamber of Commerce Congress in Copenhagen in the spring of 1961. The steel for the river bridge on Route 53 is in place, so with good weather the concrete can begin to complete the underpasses and approaches to let the Arboretum settle down to normal. He hopes the contractors will take fill from Lake Marmo, but the silt there might not suit their needs. Mrs. Morton is home from the hospital and is improving.
Extent: 2 sheets
1960/06/14: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105095)
Date: June 14 1960Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk, who is on vacation in London. Morton spent time at the Arboretum, planning for locations of gates and toll booths. Ed [Baker] said that the "map shelters" need to wait until later, to be "a little careful on expenses." "So that you can be thinking these matters over [while you are on vacation], I go into some detail." In great detail, he tells locations for gates, fences, roads, entrance roads, parking spaces, traffic flow, signs and more. Much of this work is underway, but he will wait until Godshalk returns before finalizing the plan because "you have given this matter careful thought for a long time, and you may have good reasons for changing some of the suggestions above." Ed suggests steel pipes, filled with concrete and painted white to channel drivers at "diverging roads."
In a handwritten note at the top of page 1, Morton mentions that the Ritz has no connecting single rooms on the quiet side, so they might try the Stafford their next time. He requests that Godshalk ask if the Stafford has 2 single connecting rooms on a quiet side for September 7. Please bring a plan of the hotel also. They have stayed at the Savoy many times but it's not near the kind of shopping Mrs. Morton wants to do.
Extent: 2 sheets
1960/07/05: Sterling Morton to Edward H. Baker, Jr. (3.105098)
Date: July 5 1960Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Edward H. Baker, Jr. informing him that he has transferred shares of Morton Salt Company stock to the Arboretum to pay for the Four Columns, the director's upcoming trip, and other current projects. He signed contracts covering the erection of the Four Columns.
Extent: 1 sheet
1960/07/13: Sterling Morton to C.E. Godshalk (3.105100)
Date: July 13 1960Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk approving the purchase of two trucksters and giving his opinion about the options on them to buy. He has turned in his donation for Godshalk's trip, the new pillars, and the gates and gatehouses.
Extent: 1 sheet
Arboretum News and Notes (3.10593)
Date: September 21 – December 20 1970Type: Article
1960/02/12: Clarence Godshalk to E. H. Baker, Jr. (3.107131)
Date: February 12 1960Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:A two -page letter from Godshalk to Mr. E. H. Baker, Jr., regarding the process for and terms of cleaning Lake Marmo and providing the Bird Cartage Company with dirt and gravel fill to be used for the Route 24 Bridge in Lisle, Illinois. Additionally, there is a two-page Data for Contract document regarding the same project.
Extent: 4 pages