Historic Stevenson house to be opened to public

Former Governor and Ambassador Adlai E. Stevenson II hosted senators, first ladies, civil rights leaders and other dignitaries at his farmhouse near Mettawa.

Now, for the first time, you can trace the footsteps of John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt and the many other notables who visited the historic Stevenson home.

The Lake County Forest Preserve District, which owns the recently restored property on St. Mary's Road, will offer free guided tours this summer.

They're scheduled for June 15, July 20 and Aug. 3, at 1 and 2:30 p.m. each day.

The tours will allow people to examine a home that was a sanctuary for the man widely regarded as one of the 20th century's greatest American statesmen.

"It is the site where he raised his family, and took inspiration to do the things that he did for the United States and the world," said Katherine Hamilton-Smith, director of cultural resources for the forest district.

"It's where he came to write and came to think and came to calm down a little bit," Hamilton-Smith added.

An eloquent speaker, Stevenson was Illinois' governor from 1949 to 1953 and ambassador to the United Nations from 1961 until his death in 1965. He also was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for president in 1952 and 1956.

The house was built in 1938. Stevenson lived there for most of his adult life.

The forest district acquired the property in 1974. The county health department used it as a treatment center for people with learning disabilities in the 1980s and 1990s.

The $2.1 million renovation began early this decade. Although the structure has been fully restored, only Stevenson's study is furnished.

The first public event at the home, which the district hopes eventually will be a scholarly center, was a teacher training workshop held in October.

Guests on this summer's guided tours will learn things about Stevenson that aren't included in history books, such as his wife's artistic leanings and architectural details of the house, Hamilton-Smith said.

The guided tours are open to visitors of all ages. Advanced registration is required and can be secured by calling (847) 968-3321.

You can visit the Stevenson property this summer without waiting for the tours, too. Newly installed exhibit panels outside the house tell people about Stevenson and his house.

They should be ready for daily viewing starting next month, Hamilton-Smith said.

For more information about the Stevenson house, call (847) 968-3400 or visit www.lcfpd.org.