14th American Horticultural Congress (3.64946)
Date: October 7 – 10 1959Type: Document
Description:List of individuals who attended the 14th American Horticultural Congress.
Extent: 5 pages
1959/01/06: E. L. Kammerer to Sterling Morton (3.86056)
Date: January 6 1959Creator: Kammerer, E. Lowell
Type: Document
Description:Letter from E. L. Kammerer to Sterling Morton stating how much he and his wife enjoyed the kodachrome slides of his recent round the world trips. They had to leave early because Mrs. Kammerer, who is convalescing from surgery, could not stay in one position for long. The Arboretum classes began January 5 with an overflowing enrollment in all but one class. He hopes Morton and Mrs. Morton have a pleasant winter in Santa Barbara.
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
1959/01/19: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.86057)
Date: January 19 1959Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton saying the weather has been cold, not good for those attending Arboretum classes, two of whom had to wait for a tow truck after class, but the classes are well attended. They have finished moving the large trees around Arbor Lake and will plant the shrubs around the lake this spring. They have started the landscaping around Arbordale, and the problems with the houses have been resolved. He will have Morton's secretary send him his slides as requested. They met with Northern Illinois Gas employees to finalize the position of the gas main, and it looks like they will follow the Arboretum's suggested route. The Route 53 project is ready for bids and should begin in the spring.
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/01/27: Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.86058)
Date: January 27 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to C. E. Godshalk saying those who attend Arboretum classes in this weather must be real enthusiasts, and he is happy the families are settling into the housing project. He gives his opinion on the siting of the gas main and has written to Ed Baker. He's happy the Route 53 project will soon start. He lays out his thoughts on the terrace paving, and he shares an excellent way of handling drainage he saw abroad.
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/01/29: Sterling Morton to F. I. Righter (3.86059)
Date: January 29 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Copy of letter from Sterling Morton to F. I. Righter, Chief, Division of Forest Genetics Research, thanking him for asking Mr. Offord to call on Morton in Santa Barbara. Offord diagnosed some issues with Morton's trees, and they had a good discussion on tree growth and habits. Morton also thanks Righter for his invitation to visit the station; he hopes to do so in the summer. If Righter is in the Santa Barbara area, Morton would like to visit with him. He is pleased with the progress on the legal details for the acquisition of additional land for the station.
Extent: 1 sheet
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
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
1959/02/13: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.86061)
Date: February 13 1959Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton providing further information about taking photographs indoors without using a flash. He was sorry about Mrs. Peterkin's death. He attended the funeral. He'll get in touch with Mr. Ward about the concrete pebbled slabs.
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/02/19: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105048)
Date: February 19 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He has tried some of Godshalk's suggestions for taking good indoor photos. He's awaiting the results. He doesn't plan to contribute again to Dr. Wyckoff of the Forest Genetics Research Laboratory. He finds the man pleasant, but his work is duplicated elsewhere. Mrs. Peterkin's early death saddened them. She kept herself occupied with many charitable things and did a lot of good in the world. He's very interested in progress on the pebbled concrete squares for paving the terrace. California reservoirs are nearly full, so everyone is happy.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/03/12: Francis X. Clougherty to Sterling Morton (3.105050)
Date: March 24 1959Creator: Clougherty, Rev. Francis X.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Rev. Francis X. Clougherty of St. Procopius College in Lisle, Illinois to Sterling Morton. Through the Fathers as well as Jackson Martindell, he recognizes the long relationship that the Morton family has with Lisle and with some of the Fathers of the Abbey. He invites Morton to come for a visit to the college "before the area changes too much" with housing projects. He is sure the countryside will recall pleasant memories for Morton.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/03/24: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.86062)
Date: March 24 1959Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton stating the plans are about done for the Arbordale plantings. The plans will be reviewed by Professor Keith (Head of the Landscape Department, University of Illinois) and Professor Longenecker (Head of the Landscape Department, University of Wisconsin). Mr. Ward sent out drawings for the planned changes to the terrace. Godshalk is doubtful of the plan; Mrs. Zurcher will come out to the Arboretum to see it when she returns from Colorado. Work on Route 53 should begin in April. Godshalk has started staking out the shrub plantings around Arbor Lake. He is meeting with Mr. Kress to see how much planting the Arboretum will be allowed to do along the toll road.
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/03/24: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105049)
Date: March 24 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He sends two slides of interior shots he took with Godshalk's camera and lighting suggestions. He details the camera settings he used and comments on the results. They may be going to Africa in the summer with the Lattners. He asks whether Godshalk would recommend he purchase a Contaflex or a Retinaflex camera.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/03/26: E. L. Kammerer to Sterns Nurseries (3.94339)
Date: March 26 1959Creator: Kammerer, E. Lowell
Type: Document
Description:Letter from E. L. Kammerer to Stearns Nurseries placing an order for one each of four different Camellia japonica varieties: Chandleri elegans, Kumasaka, Rosedale's Beauty, and Purity.
1959/03/27: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105052)
Date: March 27 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He encloses the letter from Father Clougherty of the College. He asks for updates on the status of Rte 53 and the tollway. He has used Godshalk's camera settings, but the whites turned out yellow. He'll try for a blue filter. They are flying to New York by jet in April, after that he'll visit the Arboretum. He will be selling his Lake Forest house because Suzette has moved from her place next door. All of the work they put into landscaping will be for someone else's benefit. He'll be glad to be rid of it.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/03/27: Sterling Morton to Father Clougherty (Rev. Francis X. Clougherty) (3.105051)
Date: March 27 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Father Clougherty of St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois. He thanks Father Clougherty for his invitation to visit. He will put it on his agenda when he visits the Arboretum. Through the years he has heard from his father and from Clarence Godshalk of positive visits from faculty and students at the Abbey. They are always welcome. Morton remembers that his father (Joy Morton) "acquired part of the property which is now the Arboretum in the late summer of 1910. I believe the College came in about five or six years later and it was quite visible from the hilltop where the Arboretum's Thornhill Building now stands." He is curious as to how Mr. Jackson Martindell "fits into this picture."
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/03/31: Sterns Nurseries to E. L. Kammerer (3.94340)
Date: March 31 1959Creator: Sterns Nurseries
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterns Nurseries to E. L. Kammerer letting him know that their entire stock of Camellia japonica is sold out for the year so they are unable to complete his order, but to try again in early spring of 1960.
1959/04/01: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.86063)
Date: April 1 1959Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton sharing photography/camera information. He believes the Arboretum is close to acquiring the Herboth property through a life lease arrangement. They are having lots of rain. He has staked a path around Arbor Lake and has also staked for plantings. The five and one half month Route 53 project is due to start the last of April. They have had many questions about the J. Sterling Morton High School. Did anyone in his family have anything to do with naming it?
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/04/17: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105054)
Date: April 17 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He's pleased to read of the variety of programs and classes planned for the spring. Mrs. Watson (?Watts) always draws a crowd. He is interested in the plans around Arbor Lake. He would like to review the drawings for the changes around the terrace with Mrs. Zurcher and Godshalk in person. He offers observations and suggestions to improve the precast pebble slabs, with sandblasting later to better showcase the pebbles. With work beginning April 1 on Route 53 and taking 5 months, this is time to discuss admission charges and toll gates, as he mentioned to the Trustees. He discusses his camera settings and photos of his trip to Longwood Gardens. It's important to settle the Herboth matter before they start building a lake. He is willing to purchase their land and give them life interest in the land. He gives a history of J. Sterling Morton High School and Morton Park.
Extent: 2 sheets
1959/04/18: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105053)
Date: April 18 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Handwritten letter from Sterling Morton on Hotel Du Pont letterhead to Clarence E. Godshalk. Included are brochures from Longwood Gardens and Winterthur. They are a week too early, but the azaleas, red buds and magnolias are superb. He feel the Winterthur admission is very high, but it also includes the museum, which they did not go to. No charge at Longwood. He suggests that the Arboretum plant masses of daffodils out in the open where they multiply quickly and make a more impressive display that in the woods.
Extent: 5 sheets
1959/05/05: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.86064)
Date: May 5 1959Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton discussing the slides Morton sent to him. Everything is in full bloom at the Arboretum. The heavy rain brought up the lake level, but didn't seem to do much damage to the crabapple blooms. They have started selling the sod from the new lake site and will remove the black dirt next Monday. It was nice to see him and Mrs. Morton this past Sunday.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/05/13: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105055)
Date: May 13 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He asks Godshalk to take a photo of the Paul Morton portrait in the Arboretum library. He feels that portrait better represents the size and import of the man. He compares him to his father [Joy Morton]. The purchaser of their Lake Forest home would like possession on June 1. He will need to be in New York for The Equitable meeting next week.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/05/18: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105056)
Date: May 18 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. There is landscape equipment which the new owner of the Lake Forest home does not want. Morton will donate it to the Arboretum and take a deduction at second hand value. Send someone with a pickup truck on June 1 to pick up these items. He found many old letters and papers from Thornhill, some fascinating, some of no importance. He is off to New York in the afternoon.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/05/20: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.86065)
Date: May 20 1959Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton clarifying that in the recent reports from Messers Keith and Longenecker that many of the ideas for the materials used in Arbordale were from Lowell's bulletins and plant material lectures rather than Lowell taking those ideas from Arbordale. Tony did a lot of the research and study on the plant groupings. Generally the reports made good points. Arboretum staff looked at the locusts in front of the Morton Salt Building; they will need to be cut back severely. They will also replace the Euonymus vegetus on the terrace at the same time.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/05/22: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105057)
Date: May 22 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He will try to read the reports from Mr. Keith and Mr. Longenecker during the week. He is busy with packing and moving from Lake Forest. The locusts in front of the Morton Salt Building have survived the winter in planters and they should establish well for the future. The mice ate the Euonymus vegetus in Lake Forest, but it shows signs of coming back. When Lester comes on June 1 to pick up landscape equipment, Morton will also send the 1917 motion picture projector and scenes from China that he took. He has learned a lot about photography since then, but they show scenes and costumes that have long ago disappeared. He will teach someone how to operate the projector.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/06/12: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.86066)
Date: June 12 1959Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton enclosing pictures of the painting of Paul Morton housed in the library taken by Richard Gall. He asks Morton to let him know if he needs larger prints.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/06/15: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.105058)
Date: June 15 1959Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. The photos of Paul Morton's portrait are perfect. The old portrait of him hanging in the Equitable Boardroom "makes him look like a dandified, somewhat dilettante person" and Morton is sure they will use the new photo. His trees are in poor condition. The euonymus must either be replaced every spring or heating cables need to be installed in each box.
Extent: 1 sheet
1959/07/09: C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.86067)
Date: July 9 1959Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from C. E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton stating Mr. Ward and Mr. Bartsch examined the terrace near the rotunda and the upper end of the hedge garden. Mr. Bartsch felt there should be a tower for a bird's-eye view of the Arboretum. Mrs. Watts feels that the present stack room size in the library is adequate. The two discussed plans for the library, then Godshalk discussed the plans with Ward and Bartsch. Mrs. Watts would like the little office which is in the upper northwest corner. While she is eligible for retirement, she would like to stay in active service for a while, then become naturalist emeritus at the Arboretum which Godshalk fully supports. Godshalk suggests that they get the ventilating system for the big lecture room fitted with a cooling system. He would also like to get the rooms in the basement connected to this ventilating system and their lighting system revamped, then classroom size would be adequate. Ward and Bartsch thought these items could be done. He updated Morton on the progress on the Route 53 project. The new lake is filling nicely. They have the best crew of workmen they have ever had; he expects to accomplish a great deal before fall. Godshalk will be on vacation for the last two weeks in July. Tony will be in charge while he is away.
Extent: 3 sheets
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
1959/07/28: 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
1959/08/01: Santa Barbara NewsPress (3.105078)
Date: August 1 1959Type: Document
Description:Newspaper clippings from Santa Barbara NewsPress. Headlines include: Most Blesses Climate; Fund for Republic Headquartered here; Old Mission. A penciled comment next to Fund for Republic : "A bit of swag?"
Extent: 4 sheets
1959/08/03: Isabel Schwager to The Morton Arboretum (3.93990)
Date: August 3 1959Creator: Schwager, Isabel
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Isabel Schwager to the staff at the Arboretum asking for identification of an enclosed leaf she knows as "Bunny's Ear." She also inquires about hedges that she only knows the informal names of: Southerenwood (or Southernwood) and Old Man/Lad's Love.
1959/08/06: E. L. Kammerer to Mrs. John Schwager (3.93991)
Date: August 6 1959Creator: Kammerer, E. Lowell
Type: Document
Description:Letter from E. L. Kammerer in response to Isabel Schwager identifying the leaf she sent as Wolly Betony/Lamb's Ears (Stachys lanata). He also provides the scientific name for Southernwood/Old Man that she had asked about, Artemesia abrotanum.
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