A sitting area provides an overlook of the Mayflower Ravine in Lake Forest. Self-guide tours, followed by a garden reception, will be offered at the site July 14. (Photos courtesy of the Ragdale Foundation)

The Ragdale Foundation, an artists’ retreat and community-based organization in Lake Forest, has partnered with the private owners of the historic Mayflower Ravine and Gardens to feature a self-guided tour followed by a garden reception July 14.

The events are to highlight the beauty and singular work involved with restoring the site to its 1912 landscaping plans, while raising funds for student programs in the arts and nature.

The site had deteriorated due to time and erosion in the century since famed Midwest architect Jens Jensen designed paths and bridges as part of an overall landscape plan for the former Rumsey Estate. Current owner Roger Deromedi was instrumental in leading the restoration effort. His wife, Sandra, with her interest in nature, was equally immersed in the project.

“She has an enthusiastic interest in nature, and restoring the ravine,” said Cynthia Quick,  external relations director for the Ragdale Foundation. “It was quite a lengthy process to slow the rushing water but also to reinstall the original plantings to meet the original intent of the gardens surrounding it. It was a multi-year effort with perennials and shrubs…quite extensive.”

The movement of storm water through the ravine had lowered the stream bed more than five feet, and destabilized the surrounding slopes. According to the Ragdale Foundation, “Nearly 12 million pounds of stone and soil were imported, 275 native trees, a total of 3,400 shrubs and 40,000 perennials were planted.”

A stream runs through the Mayflower Ravine and Gardens. Four years of work, 12 million pounds of stone and soil, and 40,000 perennials, have restored the ravine to its 1912 landscaping plans.

The 2012-15 work included “raising and redirecting the stream bed back to its 1912 appearance, stabilizing the side slopes by replanting with native species, along with adding paths, log bridges and a council ring, consistent with Jensen’s original plan.” Local collaborators assisted with civil engineering, construction, landscaping and design.

“Our (Ragdale Foundation) connection is with the immediate family,” Quick said. “The lead actor in the restoration was Roger (Deromedi), and he deserves much of the credit for what was accomplished. Ragdale has developed an active nature program bringing school students to the Ragdale grounds to experience connecting art and nature. Proceeds from the ravine tour will go toward those programs.”

“The Deromedis’ gift was to host the tour,” she said. “We also just celebrated our 40^th anniversary in 2016.”

Ragdale is a non-profit artists’ community located on the former country estate of architect Howard Van Doren Shaw. Nearly 200 residencies and fellowships are offered annually to creative professionals of all types, making Ragdale one of the largest interdisciplinary artists’ communities in the country. Ragdale residents represent a cross-section of ages, cultures, experience and mediums.

Its grounds, located at 1260 Green Bay Road in Lake Forest, boasts 50 acres of prairie with a summer home and gardens designed by Shaw that were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The location helps fulfill the foundation’s mission to support writers and artists in a retreat setting, and to make the arts more accessible to the public.

“It is rumored that Howard Van Doren Shaw worked with Jens Jensen on part of the house, when it was built in 1897,” Quick said. “Tours of Ragdale are conducted on a monthly basis, with trained docents explaining the history of the house and grounds, and their legacy. The next scheduled date is July 21.”

Shaw’s most accessible design is the downtown Lake Forest shopping area, along Western Avenue, built during 1915-16 with resident Arthur Aldis. “The Market Square” incorporates courtyards, Flemish and Moorish details, with fountains and promenades and a sun clock reflecting the affluence of an exclusive suburb with residences belonging to magnates such as Odgen Armour and Louis Swift.                                                                                                        

Movement of storm water through the ravine had lowered the stream bed more than five feet and destabilized the surrounding slopes.

Lake Forest drew the interest of many top professionals, and the Rumsey Estate was built in 1912 on designs by Charles Coolidge, with the grounds and ravine designed by Jensen. Deromedi was guided by the original plans in supplying a restored base and ensuring structural stability for the surrounding banks.

The July 14 events are 10:30 a.m. to noon for the self-guided tour, and noon to 1:30 p.m. for the garden reception. A July 15 rain date is also slated. The Mayflower Ravine and Gardens at the Deromedi residence is located at 900 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest.

Tickets are $45 for advance purchase and $60 at the door, and include the self-guided ravine tour. Tickets can be purchased online at http://ragdale.org or by calling 847-234-1063. All proceeds benefit the Ragdale in Schools program and its free “Arts and Nature” workshops offered to students from Chicago to Waukegan.

–Ravine restoration tour offered–