1925/02/12: Joy Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.101446)
Date: February 12 1925Creator: Morton, Joy
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Joy Morton to C. E. Godshalk saying he received and likes the planting plans for the China collection. He believes they will get a lot of use from the Ford "Universal" machine. He updates Godshalk on their trip, giving return dates for various members of the group. He concludes with the weights of the three tarpon they caught.
Extent: 3 sheets
1924/03/24: Joy Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.101449)
Date: March 24 1924Creator: Morton, Joy
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Joy Morton to C.E. Godshalk asking him to read an article in the March Atlantic. It is in line with Morton's view on conifers, and he asks Godshalk to obtain and plant this spring all the varieties he can access. He goes on to describe the itinerary of his trip and says Sterling's health has improved on the trip.
Extent: 5 sheets
1927/03/10: Joy Morton to C. E. Godshalk (3.101450)
Date: March 10 1927Creator: Morton, Joy
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Joy Morton to C.E. Godshalk wishing him success with his turkeys. They are enjoying the mild weather, but it is too hot during the day. They expect to be home in early April. He hopes they get a reasonable price for the cows. Sterling and his wife visited them, and they had a nice visit. They would both like to be home at Thornhill now; there is no place like it.
Extent: 1 sheet
1930/01/17: Joy Morton to [Daniel Peterkin, Sr.] (3.101459)
Date: January 17 1930Creator: Morton, Joy
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Joy Morton to [Daniel Peterkin, Sr.], written in Bombay, telling him about his five night train trip through India. He saw the Taj Mahal, and he believes it is the most beautiful structure in the world. They are back on the ship, soon to be heading south. So far, the trip has been very satisfactory. He hopes to have reports about the business from Peterkin and Sterling [Morton] at Colombo or Batavia.
Extent: 2 sheets
1928/02/14: Joy Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101490)
Date: February 14 1928Creator: Morton, Joy
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Joy Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk, from Palm Beach. He thinks they will get a lot of good out of Teuscher's trip. He's hoping the trial of the mowing machine will prove to save money on mowing. "Don't overlook the fact that I want all forest plots you can add to our private collection. That is my hobby, so be governed accordingly." Pleased you like the new gardener. Looking forward to fine gardens this summer. Sterling and his wife were here before their trip to Nassau and we had a good visit.
Extent: 1 sheet
1926/04/26: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101552)
Date: April 27 1926Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Morton's former secretary, Mrs. R. W. Peterson of Western Springs would like to bring her Garden Club to tour the Arboretum. He suggests that the fourth Monday in May would be best because the "thorn trees will be in fuller bloom." 'Please show her every courtesy.
Extent: 1 sheet
1954/02/23: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101752)
Date: February 23 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He is thanking Godshalk for clarifying his father's relationship with Mr. Simonds. He will make minor reference to him in the article that he is revising. Instead, he will spend greater time on Professor Sargent, who cautioned against Morton Arboretum becoming a private park rather than "carrying out its basic purpose." He approves the clearing out of some woods for a homesite, as a demonstration project.
Extent: 1 sheet
1954/12/14: Sterling Morton to Nels J. Johnson (3.101774)
Date: December 14 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Nels J. Johnson. He supports the need to license arborists. He cites the need to control "unethical tree butchers" .
Extent: 1 sheet
1954/12/14: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101776)
Date: December 14 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Please send an informational packet to L. A. Carton, our newest Trustee.
Extent: 1 sheet
1954/12/14: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101777)
Date: December 14 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Sending a copy of the letter from Nels Johnson [pertaining to licencing of arborists].
Extent: 1 sheet
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
1938/01/11: Clarence E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton (3.101883)
Date: January 11 1938Creator: Godshalk, Clarence E.
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Clarence E. Godshalk to Sterling Morton. Enclosed letter from Stearns and Jones with details of the purchase of the Schulz land. It is 8.33 acres surrounded by Arboretum. Mr. Schulz is to receive $1200 in cash and 10 cords of wood per winter for 5 years. He doesn't understand the $2000 sum mentioned by Stearns and Jones. He assumes the Arboretum will issue the check to Schulz and Sterling Morton will reimburse the Arboretum as a contribution. Please verify.
Handwritten note at top: "Clarence, This was a good buy, even if you thought it high at the time. SM"
Extent: 1 sheet
1929/11/02: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101884)
Date: November 2 1939Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Thanking him for the successful visit by the Newcomen Society, with praise for his narration. In the future, though, he suggests that the big bus was too slow to load and unload. When the Commercial Club visits, he suggest either a smaller Arboretum bus, or a convoy of "open cars" to take people around.
Extent: 1 sheet
1953/04/20: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101885)
Date: April 20 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Your letter of April 16 was a "most interesting and understanding letter and really makes me more willing to assume the responsibilities than I had before." It is all right to charge the roof bill of $200, the tank bill of $300, and the underground cable bill of $275 to the Chairman's Fund. In the future as emergencies arise and I'm not available, you may use this fund. You have employed the 15 regular men during the winter. I will add $1000 to the labor budget for the summer schoolboys to clean up. "The Arboretum will be receiving additional income from my sister's estate to go into the general fund." He is in favor of the forestry plots, perhaps using some of the farmland that is less productive, to demonstrate not only good practices but bad uses. This would be useful if they undertake plant pathology. It should include hardwood, softwood and conifers, with each plot having several acres. Mrs. Morton hopes to be well enough for their trip abroad. He details his flight when the pilot flew them down into the Grand Canyon.
Extent: 2 sheets
1953/04/27: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101886)
Date: April 27 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. John Root will come to the Arboretum to see the site I have in mind for a permanent memorial to my sister. We are open to any suggestions you have. You shared that she always wanted to keep the Arboretum on an economical footing. This puzzled me, because she was never parsimonious. She wanted the best of everything." Mr. Zurcher will bring me to the Arboretum and we can pick up plants and visit before we go to Lake Forest to see the grandchildren.
Extent: 1 sheet
1953/05/04: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101887)
Date: May 4 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. J. H. Smith would like to give a memorial tree or other item. He is Morton's cousin, Pauline's son. Forward any suggestions to Mrs. Zurcher.
Extent: 1 sheet
1953/05/11: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101888)
Date: May 11 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Request that Godshalk communicate with Mr. Smith about Smith's wish to "do something as a memorial to Mrs. Cudahy." Gather ideas until my return to Morton Arboretum. He shares his concerns about what the utility company could do along their right of way, especially in relation to the Jones property. He offers some suggestions for low plantings, but also raises some concerns about how it might all look.
Extent: 1 sheet
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
1953/07/08: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101890)
Date: July 8 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He met with Joy Morton II as the disposition of Morton Manor is progressing. Sid Hettinger, Mark Morton's secretary for many years, is living there and is in charge. He suggests that Godshalk go there are retrieve some of the books and pictures which should stay at the Arboretum.
Extent: 1 sheet
1953/08/03: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101892)
Date: August 3 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk to give him background on John Neal Campbell, the attorney for Northwestern University. Campbell worked on the change in interpretation to Mrs. Joy Morton's will. Instead of and addition to Passavant Hospital, the University wanted to use it for a medical and laboratory building. Mr. Campbell is a frequent visitor to Morton Arboretum. Morton suggested that Campbell contact Godshalk or Kammerer on his next visit. Another paragraph is crossed out in Morton's blue pen. It concerns a Mrs. DeLong of Nebraska City who is interested in some of the books at Morton Manor for the Nebraska City library. He will bring her to visit the Arboretum.
Extent: 1 sheet
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
1953/09/28: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101895)
Date: September 28 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He left plants at the Administration Building. He hopes Nordine can make them healthy again. He would like a dozen or more of the Red Pines brought to his Lake Forest home. Now that the old house is down, there is a new vision for the property.
Extent: 1 sheet
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
1953/10/12: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101897)
Date: October 12 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He sends a plot of his Lake Forest property with some indications of house and driveways. He further details his plans and asks for landscaping recommendations. Also he requests that arrangements be made with Mr. Wagstaff for someone to bring over larger tees from some nursery.
Extent: 2 sheets
1953/10/23: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101898)
Date: October 23 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. You will be interested in the enclosed letters from Mr. Blum and Dr. Avery. Thanks for installing the forest of sticks to mark planting locations. He tried the new saw and was a little stiff afterwards.
Extent: 1 sheet
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
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
1953/11/17: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101901)
Date: November 17 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:The budget for next year needs to provide for additional scientists and technicians, assuming the building is completed. He talked with Mr. Ward about changes to the classroom. He is returning the most interesting letter to Mrs. Watts.
Extent: 1 sheet
1953/11/20: Sterling Morton to Clarence Godshalk (3.101902)
Date: November 20 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence Godshalk. I'm sorry I wasn't able to go to Louisiana, the first time I've missed that meeting since 1934. If there are matters to discuss prior to the meeting, let me know. [Pencilled in the margin: Sat. off, Travelling Exp, Pension, Salaries, Picnic Shelter, Equip.] The School Board is requesting 20 acres, which seems like a lot. Morton proposes a long-term lease, with complete control over plantings and structures. He does not want to assign too much of Warrenville Road frontage, nor land in back of the proposed power line. He offers opinions on various locations of the power line. He wants to see this settled so other real estate proposals can go forward.
Extent: 2 sheets
1953/12/08: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101903)
Date: December 8 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. The Board of Trustees decided to make Mrs. Zurcher a joint Vice President along with Mr. Peterkin. Because of Sterling Morton's long absences, it would be good to have both available. He is pleased that she is showing increasing interest in the Arboretum. She is as efficient and resourceful as her late aunt [Jean Morton Cudahy]. She was a favorite of her grandfather [Joy Morton]. Because of Mr. Hamill's move to Asheville, he is willing to resign from the Board. There is already a vacancy on the Board, so Morton is asking what other tasks could be assigned to Hamill, perhaps researching and reporting on Biltmore Forest.
Extent: 2 sheets
1953/12/21: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101904)
Date: December 21 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Mrs. Morton has been asked to write an article for the local [Santa Barbara] Garden Club. He knows there must be several in a file, especially dealing with Mrs. Cudahy's incumbency. [Pencilled at the top: Sept. 1952, p.3, Bull. Garden Club of America]. Or, the article could talk of future plans for maintenance, research, etc. Or would this be premature? What is the cost of the Skilsaw and generator? He has 600-700 feet of hedge that is currently cut by hand and that equipment would help. He wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.
Extent: 1 sheet
1953/12/29: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101905)
Date: December 29 1953Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. Mrs. Zurcher told him of the party. He hopes there will be future parties where the Trustees get to know the staff. The organization needs to look to younger people, as he is beginning to feel his years. He details his needs for delivery of a Winpower generator in California. He is glad to see that Tyzink is work well. He is "enormously interested in the maintenance research program." He wants a copy of the outline, and he might have some suggestions to add. In new construction, changing grade around trees can be a serious problem, as happened in Lake Forest. It hardly seems like Christmas with the sun and flowers. Happy New Year.
Extent: 2 sheets
1954/01/09: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101906)
Date: January 9 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He would like copies of past articles so that there is no repetition. [For Mrs. Morton's article for the local Garden Club], telling about projected new work would not repeat past ideas. He discusses the differences in equipment: Skilsaw, Porter-Cable cutter or Schiller-Pfeiffer Little Wonder Clippers for trimming hedges. Thanks for the pines for his Lake Forest place. If Mrs. Zurcher wants some too, he will take care of the bill. Morton is glad that Godshalk likes the binoculars.
Extent: 2 sheets
1954/01/19: Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk (3.101907)
Date: January 19 1954Creator: Morton, Sterling
Type: Document
Description:Letter from Sterling Morton to Clarence E. Godshalk. He discusses in detail his thoughts on a proposed demonstration ground for garden equipment. He suggests 50-100 acres. The next step is to ask the Manufacturers Association to determine the numbers for roto-tilling, row planting, hedge trimming, etc. The demonstrations would be popular and a big draw for Morton Arboretum. Tents, pavilions, food concessions would be likely handled by the Manufacturers Association. Entry fees should cover the expenses and a reasonable amount for upkeep between the twice yearly demonstrations. He's pleased that Crowley and Tyznik are helping with the administrative burden. He likes the Porter-Cable clipper for heavier branches. He'll keep the Skilsaw for lighter trimming. He's "enthusiastic about the garden instrument demo," thinking that this practical work is worth more to our population than any number of learned digests on plant genetics.
Extent: 3 sheets
1954/01/28: The Morton Arboretum to Sterling Morton (3.101908)
Date: January 28 1954Creator: The Morton Arboretum
Type: Document
Description:Itemized bill from Morton Arboretum to Sterling Morton for moving 11 large red pine with frozen balls from Arboretum to Lake Forest. Includes labor, gas and meals = $197.11.
Extent: 1 sheet