Robert Allerton, son of a Chicago industrialist, built this estate in 1900 and later donated it to the University of Illinois. This central Illinois treasure has woodlands, formal gardens, ponds, and the mansion is used as a meeting and retreat center. Robert Allerton was an artist and collector of art and sculpture, so I’m having some fun converting these images to a painterly look. The first image is of the old stables which now is the dining room. The next image is the upstairs landing leading to the bedrooms. The U of I football team used to stay here before games.
Storm over the Allerton stables
Allerton mansion upstairs landing
The gardens are a delight. This is a koi pond off the back porch of the estate looking out onto the woodlands.
Koi pond
The grounds have some large sculptures you can come across while hiking the woodland trails.
Woodland trails and Death of the Last Centaur by Emile-Antoine Bourdelle
The Sun Singer by Carl Milles
The formal gardens have a collection of terrific sculptures as well. These are in the Brick Walled Garden, the oldest garden on the estate.
Girl with Scarf by Lili Auer
Looking through the Brick Walled Garden to Adam