Lillie, Frank R., House
Also known as: Lillie House
Why it's listed
Built in 1904 at 5801 Kenwood Avenue on the University of Chicago campus, this brick house was designed by the Chicago firm of Irving K. Pond and his brother Allen. Its irregular form, flat brick surfaces, diamond-pattern brickwork, odd gables and quoins, and mix of gabled and flat roofs reflect the Ponds' distinctive style. The house was the home of Frank R. Lillie, a leading embryologist, from its construction until his death in 1947. Lillie taught at the University of Chicago for decades and chaired its zoology department. His research covered fertilization and the role of sex hormones in differentiation. He also directed the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, helped establish its Oceanographic Institute, and served as president of the National Academy of Sciences from 1935 to 1939. The university took over the house in 1956 and has used it for various functions. The exterior remains unaltered, while the interior has been changed for teaching use.
Significance in brief: It was the home of embryologist Frank R. Lillie from 1904 until his death in 1947. Lillie made important contributions to embryology and helped build major American scientific institutions, including the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole and the Oceanographic Institute. The house is also an example of the Pond brothers' domestic work.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76000696, listed May 11, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5801 Kenwood Ave., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | May 11, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000696 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1904-1947 |
| Architect / builder | Pond and Pond |
| Areas of significance | Science |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 11, 1976 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and owned by the University of Chicago since 1956 for university functions; exterior unaltered, interior significantly altered; condition listed as excellent. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Hyde Park-Kenwood Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.78947, -87.59288 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76000696.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14687506
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.