Kennicott Grove facts for kids
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Kennicott Grove
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John Kennicott House in 2010
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Glenview, Illinois |
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| Area | 50 acres (200,000 m2) |
| Built | 1856 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000698 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 13, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | January 7, 1976 |
Kennicott Grove is a special place in Glenview, Illinois, where you can find both open prairie and wooded areas. It was once the home of the Kennicott family. This included John Kennicott (1802–1863), who was a farmer and a doctor. His son, Robert Kennicott (1835–1866), became a famous naturalist and explorer. Robert even helped start the Chicago Academy of Sciences.
The Grove covers about 123 acres (0.5 square kilometers). You can find it near Milwaukee Avenue and Lake Avenue in Glenview. In 1976, Kennicott Grove was named a National Historic Landmark. Today, the Glenview Park District takes care of the site. It's known as The Grove National Historic Landmark or just The Grove. Here, you can explore nature trails, visit historic buildings, and learn about nature at the interpretive center.
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The Kennicott Family Story
John A. Kennicott was born in New York in 1802. He first worked as a teacher. Later, he studied medicine and became a doctor. In 1829, he opened a medical office in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Seven years later, John Kennicott and his family moved to Northfield Township, Cook County, Illinois. This area was mostly undeveloped back then. He claimed several hundred acres of land. It was about 15 miles south of Half Day, Illinois. He named his new home "The Grove" because of all the trees. Around 1856, he built a house there.
John Kennicott was the only doctor for many miles around The Grove. In the early 1840s, he started the first commercial plant nursery in the area with his son Charles. He became very interested in plants. He collected and planted all kinds of shrubs he found during his travels. John also helped create the Illinois State Agricultural Society. He would give away free plant cuttings (called scions) from his special plants at The Grove. John Kennicott passed away at his home in 1863.
Robert Kennicott: A Young Naturalist
John's second son, Robert Kennicott, grew up to be a well-known naturalist. Robert was often sick as a child. So, he was taught at home at The Grove. He spent a lot of time outdoors on the property. He loved collecting plants and animals there. He even taught his brothers and sisters how to do it. Robert later identified many new species at the Smithsonian Institution. In 1857, he helped start the Chicago Academy of Sciences. Robert died in 1866 while on an expedition in what was then Russian America.
The Redfield Family and A Prairie Grove
Years later, a Kennicott family member named Bertha Redfield built a new house. This was the Redfield Estate, built in 1929. It was designed in the Tudor Revival style by George Grant Elmslie. Bertha's daughter, Louise Redfield Peattie, moved into the house three years later. Louise was an author, married to another author, Donald Culross. Donald wrote a book called A Prairie Grove (1938). It shares his experiences living at The Grove.
Exploring The Grove Today
The Kennicott Grove was originally a large area. It had about 250 acres of thick woods and several ponds. The main house was first built in 1856. Over the years, it has had many additions and changes. The house has a simple look. Its unique board and batten siding makes it stand out from other buildings nearby. This style was likely inspired by popular designers of the 1850s.
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In 1973, a company wanted to buy part of The Grove for new homes. This led to the creation of the Save The Grove Committee. They worked hard to get the site recognized by the National Park Service (NPS). Their efforts paid off! The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in August 1973.
Zenith, an electronics company, donated 6 acres of land to Glenview in 1974. This land included the main house. By February 1975, Glenview had bought another 30 acres. The Save the Grove Committee became the Grove Heritage Association in 1976. This was after the NPS named the site a National Historic Landmark. With money from the state and federal government, 82 more acres were added by 1979. The last big land purchase happened in 1995, adding another 41 acres.
The Grove Heritage Association continues to take care of the property. The original house was restored in 1983. The old schoolhouse was also restored in 1987. New buildings have been added to help visitors learn more. A nature interpretive center was built in 1989. A replica Potawatomi loghouse opened in 1997. The newest addition is a special building to keep old family papers and artifacts safe. About 200,000 people visit The Grove every year!
Images for kids
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John Kennicott House in 2010
