1953/05/04: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101889)
Date: May 4 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He requests some ideas for other uses of the former library in the Thornhill Building, rather than the "somewhat funereal, museum-like aspect of it and put it to active use." Mrs. Zurcher will join in the discussion. "The addition to the Redwood Building is most suitable." Morton Salt Company vacation policy is two weeks after 1 year, and 3 weeks after 15 years. You can adopt this policy, or even 3 weeks after 12 years.
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
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
1955/10/27: Clarence E. Godshalk to Garfield King (3.109031)
Date: October 27 1955Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Clarence E. Godshalk to Garfield King of Morton Salt.
Extent: 1 sheet
Suzette Morton Davidson with Board of Trustees (3.3138)
Date: 1960sType: Photographic image
Description:Suzette Morton with Board of Trustees standing outside on patio at Suzette's Arboretum residence
L to R: Daniel Peterkin Jr., Garfield King, Fred Pullman, Suzette Morton, Laurence Carton, Ed Baker, Clayton Adams
Extent: 1 photograph
1952/06/06: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.84462)
Date: June 6 1952Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk telling Godshalk he plans to stay out of the school problems in Lisle. He asks Godshalk to tell Mrs. Riedy that Morton has considered the matter, but is unable to donate. He feels Mrs. Cudahy's attitude would be the same. He ran into Godshalk's son in Gar King's office; Morton is much impressed with him.
Extent: 1 sheet
1953/12/23: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84469)
Date: December 23 1953Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton apologizing for the delay in answering his letter. He was getting Mr. Tyznik started and preparing for the board meeting. He is happy that Mrs. Zurcher and Dan Peterkin going to be vice-chairmen. Mrs. Zurcher suggested that the Arboretum have a Christmas party for employees, paid for by the Chairman’s fund. It was a huge success and staff members and their wives asked Godshalk to thank Morton and the rest of the trustees for the party. She also suggested the Arboretum have a party for the trustees and the employees to become better acquainted. She would like to create a more comprehensive information bulletin. Mr. King was out, and they talked over Arboretum activities and the steer feeding program; trustees are taking a more active role than in the past. He will speak to Mrs. Watts and Mr. Kammerer to see if they can offer suggestions on how Mr. Hamill as a trustee could contribute to the Arboretum. He then talked about several types of equipment. He has Mr. Tyznik working on a plan for the area south of the Administration Building. They are making a very detailed outline of all the phases of the research program.
Extent: 2 sheets
1955/03/31: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84484)
Date: March 31 1955Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton enclosing bonds Morton needs to sign for the DuPage County Sheriff's office. He also discusses the possible peony test garden proposed by the Peony Society. Dr. Ensweller, from the U.S.D.A. in Beltsville, Maryland, will send azaleas to the Arboretum for testing. Dr. Milton Carlton of Vaughans wants to send some roses for testing. They are doing some planting, getting other outdoor work done, and laying our some new research studies. Godshalk will attend Mr. Parmelee's funeral.
Extent: 2 sheets
1956/02/10: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.84502)
Date: February 10 1956Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton enclosing a circular on the Kwik-kut power saw and talking about his experiences using it. Mr. Scott made a splendid impression while interviewing at the Arboretum. Mrs. Zurcher said Godshalk should immediately try to hire him. Ralph Miller, the Arboretum's tree surgeon, recently quit. Godshalk would like to replace him with the chief forester of the Cook County Forest Preserves.
Extent: 2 sheets
1950/02/17: C. E. Godshalk to Jean Morton Cudahy (3.85938)
Date: February 17 1950Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Jean Morton Cudahy telling her about the recent ice storm; it was the heaviest sleet since Godshalk has been there. The worst damage was to the plants that have a northeast exposure. The Chinese elms and birch were heavily damaged. Some of the ash trees will have to be cut down. The trees near Thornhill and the Administration Building were not seriously damaged. Only about half of the students attended class Monday night, and at 10:00 the lights went out. They didn't have electricity, heat, or water for three days. The Myers stayed in their apartment using their gas stove for heat, while the Godshalks used their gas stove and fireplace to heat their house. Mary Alice and her family stayed with them. Only White had water at Arbor Farm. They have gotten quite a number of returns from their AABGA News Letter and By-laws. They have had several offers to get out the News Letter. They will operate AABGA as an individual organization and later decide whether to affiliate with the American Horticultural Society or the American Shade Tree Conference. He will write to Mr. Berens to tell him of Cudahy's approval of their State Historical Society meeting at the Arboretum on May 6, and he will also write to Sterling Morton. He is glad Mrs. Cudahy and Mrs. King are having a wonderful time.
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/02/04: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.86060)
Date: February 4 1959Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton saying they are having a cold, snowy winter. The cold weather has brought more birds farther south, including evening grosbeaks, to use his feeders, in addition to the usual winter birds. He shared his ideas about building the terrace and handling the drainage. He discusses the demolition of houses on Arboretum grounds and the possible demolition of another one. Arnold Berg's comments to Mrs. Naser are attached to the enclosed picture; Berg is painting this winter. Godshalk learned that the Garfield King family is moving to Hawaii. Godshalk wonders if he is giving up his position with the Morton Salt Company and as a trustee of the Arboretum. All the trees have been moved at Arbor Lake. He offers Morton advice about taking photographs indoors without using the flash, enclosing two slides as examples.
Extent: 3 sheets