Lake Forest -- Homestead

Object Details

General: In 1860, DeVillo and Ellen Hubbard Holt commissioned a house constructed in the "Italianate" style, made popular by the New York landscape designer Andrew Jackson Downing. Known as the "Homestead," the property was intended to be a summer house for the Holt family, however it became the family's permanent residence as they sought to escape the bustle of downtown Chicago. The Holt family owned the Homestead for a century. Siblings Ellen and George Holt probably inherited the property in 1903 after the passing of their mother. In 1960, Ellen transferred ownership of the estate to Lake Forest College. The college sold it to private owners in the mid-1970s. The property featured expansive gardens. Frank Calvert is credited with planting the gardens at Homestead. Landscape architect Annette Hoyt Flanders updated the garden's design; garden designer Louise Stone Hubbard worked on a restoration of the gardens in the 1930s. Persons associated with the garden include: Devillo and Ellen Holt (former owners, 1860-1903); Ellen and George Holt (former owners, 1903-1960), Lake Forest College (former owners, 1960-ca. 1975).

Former owner: Holt, Ellen Hubbard; Holt, DeVillo; Holt, Ellen, 1869-1961; Holt, George; Lake Forest College

Former owner: Holt, Ellen Hubbard; Holt, DeVillo; Holt, Ellen, 1869-1961; Holt, George; Lake Forest College

See more items in: The Garden Club of America collection, Lake Forest Garden Club series; The Garden Club of America collection, Lake Forest Garden Club series / Illinois Gardens

Series Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection, Lake Forest Garden Club series

Series Rights: The Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by the Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Series Restrictions: Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.