Our Heritage
Milestones and Momentum in Preserving a Legacy
The Legacy of Lorado Taft
- Founded in 1898 – Eagle’s Nest Art Colony established
- Art & Conservation – A gathering place for artists and environmentalists
- Education Center – Became an outdoor learning facility for students and teachers
- Together For Taft is formed– Working to reimagine and reopen the Lorado Taft Field Campus
Artist Colony campers in costume, Labor Day 1898. The rent that 1st yr was a dollar a year but later increased to 90.00 a year with the construction of more permanent buildings.
A group of sculptors taught by Lorado Taft at the Chicago Art Institute. Lorado Taft is standing in back row 2nd from left.
Northern Illinois University opens the Lorado Taft Field Campus as a field laboratory for pre-service teachers to learn about teaching in the outdoors.
Northern Il, University announced the closing due to increased operational costs, an aging and costly infrastructure, and a lack of alignment with the university's current mission. The group Together for Taft is working to reimagine and reopen the now closed campus.