The elegant 1930s-era home in Mettawa where former Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson II entertained dignitaries such as John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt could become a house for scholars-in-residence, workshops and other academic programs.

At their March 21 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution authorizing negotiations with DePaul University’s Barat College of Lake Forest for operating an educational institute at the Adlai Stevenson home.

Barat was one of 79 educational institutions, environmental and cultural agencies invited to present a proposal for the project. An interviewing team made up of Forest Preserve Commissioners, staff and community representatives recommended the selection of Barat as the future partner for the Adlai Stevenson home project. The Forest Preserve will now begin working with Barat College officials to outline the elements of the program. By the end of 2003, a detailed license agreement should be ready for full Forest Preserve Board approval.

"We selected Barat College because of its comprehensive visionary program that complements our mission of preservation and education,” said Janet Gallimore, director of Cultural Resources for the Lake County Forest Preserves. “The program serves students of the university and the local community, and it advances the study of significant social and environmental issues, an idea Stevenson would have embraced.”

Built in 1938, the 16-room house, carriage house and stables situated on 46 acres served as a haven for Stevenson, his wife and three sons and a gathering place for meetings with politicians and other dignitaries. Stevenson’s political career included four years as governor of Illinois (1948 to 1952), two Democratic nominations for president (1952 and 1956) and ambassador to the United Nations (1960 to 1965).

Stevenson’s commitment to raising public awareness about America’s relationship with other nations attracted Barat College; officials embraced the opportunity to turn the historic property into a place of learning for students of all ages.

“Adlai Stevenson II devoted a lifetime to the study of the problems we encourage our students to address,” said Kathryn Johnson, assistant professor of sociology at Barat. “He proposed creative solutions that ultimately served to make an immense difference in the modern world.” The institute’s mission will dovetail perfectly with Barat College’s unique interdisciplinary programs in the areas of social justice and global studies, environmental studies, humanities and foundations of leadership. The academic programs began in the fall of 2002 and are expected to gain momentum in the coming years.

“Our goal is to help students develop critical thinking skills by broadening their exposure to multiple perspectives and expressions in order to integrate a liberal arts foundation with contemporary application and practice,” said Barat College Dean Katherine Delaney.

The institute will feature the following:

· A scholars-in-residence program for world scholars conducting research on social justice, human rights or other topics related to Stevenson’s mission. Lake County residents can interact with the scholars through lectures and other activities.

· A colloquia series to include a model United Nations program for area high school students, along with environmental education programming and a hands-on learning center for grade school children.

· Joint workshops and programs offered by Barat College and the Forest Preserve.

In 1984, the Illinois State Historical Society designated the home as an historic site. The Forest Preserve is working to get the home listed on the National Register and recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

As part of a $2 million renovation project funded through a grant from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the Forest Preserve will begin restoring the home and adjacent buildings this summer. Completion is anticipated by summer 2004, with programs planned to begin by fall 2004. Once open, the public will be able to take self-guided tours of the stable, enjoy a contemplative trail that provides the experience of walking in the footsteps of Stevenson and participate in on-going public programs and events.

Barat College, located at 700 E. Westleigh Road, formed an educational alliance with DePaul University in 2001, making Barat DePaul’s ninth college.

For more information about the Adlai Stevenson Project, call the Lake County Forest Preserves Cultural Resources Department at 847/968-3400 or DePaul’s Barat College at 847/574-4230.