Adlai E. Stevenson II Farm facts for kids
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Adlai E. Stevenson II Farm
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 25200 N. Saint Mary's Rd., Mettawa, Illinois |
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| Built | 1938 |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000918 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 14, 2003 |
| Designated NHLD | April 23, 2014 |
The Adlai E. Stevenson II Farm, also known as the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home, is a special old property. It is located on St. Mary's Road in Mettawa, Illinois. This farm was the home of Adlai Stevenson II from 1936 until he passed away in 1965.
Adlai Stevenson II (1900-1965) was a very important American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He served as the governor of Illinois from 1949 to 1953. He also ran for president of the United States two times. These were in the 1952 and 1956 elections. Later, he became the US Ambassador to the United Nations. He held this important job from 1961 until his death. He was the Ambassador during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962.
The Adlai E. Stevenson II Farm is very important to history. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has also been named a National Historic Landmark. The property is in the northern suburbs of Chicago. It is part of the Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve. Today, the farm works as a museum. You can visit it to learn about Adlai Stevenson II.
Contents
History of the Stevenson Farm
How the Farm Became Stevenson's Home
Adlai Stevenson and his wife bought this farm in 1935. It was about 44 acres (18 hectares) at first. Later, they bought more land. Their first house on the farm was built in 1936. Sadly, this house was destroyed by a fire in January 1938. But the Stevensons did not give up. Later that same year, they built a new home. This is the house that you can see on the property today.
Family Life and Changes
The Stevensons raised their three sons in this home. Their oldest son, Adlai Stevenson III, later became a US Senator for Illinois. He served from 1970 to 1981. Adlai Stevenson II and his wife, Ellen Borden, divorced in 1949. Stevenson kept the farm as his home. Ellen moved to Chicago.
Stevenson continued to live at the farm sometimes during the 1950s and 1960s. However, he was often away because of his political work. He traveled a lot for his job as a diplomat. He passed away in July 1965 while he was in London.
The Farm After Stevenson
In 1969, most of the farm was sold to Edison Dick. He was a friend of Stevenson. Later, in 1974, the farm was given to the Lake County Forest Preserve District. From 1982 to 2000, the estate was used as a day center. It helped people from the Lake County Health Department.
On September 14, 2003, the property was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place in American history. In 2005 and 2007, the house and other buildings were fixed up. This made sure they stayed in good condition for visitors.
Exploring the Stevenson Estate
Buildings and Land
The Lake County Forest Preserve District now owns the entire estate. It includes several important parts. There is the main house, which was built in 1938. There is also a service building, built around 1937-1939. You can also see a tennis court, added after 1945. A barn was built in 1958. The beautiful farm landscape around the buildings is also protected. It is a key part of the property.
Design of the Main House
The house was designed by a company called Perkins, Wheeler and Will. It has a unique look. It uses ideas from European avant-garde architecture from the 1920s. This means it has simple, block-like shapes. There is not much fancy decoration on the outside. The roof is low and hangs out far. This style reminds some people of the American Prairie School of architecture.
The house is built facing north and south. It is about 106 feet (32 meters) long and 37 feet (11 meters) wide. It was first painted yellow. But during Stevenson's life, it was repainted white. In the middle, the house has two floors. On each side, there are sections with only one floor.
Inside the House
The inside of the house is also very simple. This style is called International Style. The first floor has thirteen rooms. These include Stevenson's study, which still has his original furniture. There are also two bathrooms and a service porch. The second floor, in the central part of the house, has six rooms. Everything inside is designed to be practical and clean, without extra decorations.
