Stevenson, Adlai E., II, Farm

Forty acres along the Des Plaines River in Mettawa, near Libertyville, make up the farm that Adlai E. Stevenson II bought from the Northern Trust Company in 1935. He regarded it as home until his death in 1965, returning whenever his public career as Illinois governor and United Nations ambassador allowed. A first house, built of prefabricated steel, burned in January 1938. Perkins, Wheeler and Will then designed a wood-sided replacement on the surviving foundation. It is mainly International Style, with Moderne interiors and Prairie School-like horizontal lines. A U-shaped service building holds a garage, stable, and caretaker's apartment. The farm raised crops, sheep, and a vegetable garden, and a tennis court and river views remain. Later used by the county health department and then the forest preserves, the property retains excellent integrity and was being restored to its Stevenson-era appearance.