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. It has beautiful prairie lands and thick woods. This area was once home to the Kennicott family.
The family 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 started the Chicago Academy of Sciences.
Kennicott Grove covers about 123 acres. It is located near Milwaukee Avenue and Lake Avenue. In 1976, it was named a National Historic Landmark. Today, the Glenview Park District takes care of the site. They call it The Grove National Historic Landmark or just The Grove. Visitors can explore a nature center, old buildings, and nature trails.
Contents
Discovering The Grove's Past
Who Was John Kennicott?
John A. Kennicott was born in Saratoga, New York, in 1802. He first worked as a teacher. Later, he studied medicine at Fairfield Medical College. After becoming a doctor, he taught in Mississippi. Then, he opened his own medical office in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1829.
In 1836, John Kennicott moved with his family to Northfield Township, Cook County, Illinois. This area was mostly undeveloped back then. He claimed hundreds of acres of land. It was about 15 miles south of Half Day. He named his new home "The Grove" because of all the trees. Around 1856, he built his family's 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. He worked with his son, Charles. John loved plants and collected many different kinds of shrubs. He also helped start the Illinois State Agricultural Society. He shared plant cuttings from The Grove with other nursery owners for free. John Kennicott passed away at his home on June 4, 1863.
Robert Kennicott: A Young Naturalist
Robert Kennicott was John's second son. He grew up to be a very famous naturalist. Robert was often sick and could not go to public school. Instead, he learned at home at The Grove. He spent a lot of time exploring the property.
Robert collected many plants and animals. He taught his brothers and sisters how to do the same. He later identified many new species at the Smithsonian Institution. In 1857, he helped create the Chicago Academy of Sciences. Robert died in 1866 from heart failure. He was on an expedition in Russian America at the time.
The Redfield Estate and Authors
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, later lived there. Louise was an author, married to another author, Donald Culross Peattie.
Louise wrote about the history of the estate in her book American Acres. Donald wrote about his experiences at The Grove in his 1938 book, A Prairie Grove.
Exploring The Grove Today
The Historic Kennicott House
The Kennicott Grove originally covered about 250 acres. It had many trees and several ponds. The main house was first built in 1856. Over the years, it has had many additions and changes. A south room and a kitchen were added to the main building. A porch was built around 1920.
The outside of the house is quite simple. It has a special type of siding called board and batten. This style is not common in Illinois. It makes the house unique compared to other buildings nearby. The design might have been inspired by famous architects like Andrew Jackson Downing.
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Saving The Grove for Everyone
In 1973, a company wanted to buy part of The Grove. They planned to build houses there. This led to the creation of the "Save The Grove Committee." This group 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 on August 13, 1973.
Soon after, Zenith donated 6 acres of land to Glenview. 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 on January 7.
With money from the state and federal governments, 82 more acres were added by 1979. The last big purchase happened in 1995, adding another 41 acres.
What You Can See and Do
The Grove Heritage Association works to keep the property well-maintained. The original Kennicott house was restored in 1983. The old schoolhouse was also restored in 1987. New buildings have been added to help visitors learn more.
An interpretive nature center was built in 1989. A replica of a 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 to enjoy its history and nature.
