Olcott (campus) - Revision history

SysopJ: /* Landscaping in 1920s and 1930s */

2026-04-23T19:55:44Z

Landscaping in 1920s and 1930s

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:55, 23 April 2026
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	File:Water garden from SE.jpg\|Water garden under construction, August 1925.		File:Water garden from SE.jpg\|Water garden under construction, August 1925.
	File:Grove and cottage Aug 8 1926 view to W.jpg\|Grove and cottage on August 8, 1926, viewed from east.		File:Grove and cottage Aug 8 1926 view to W.jpg\|Grove and cottage on August 8, 1926, viewed from east.
	File:Mr Gill with tractor Jul 24 1927.jpg\|Caretaker Mr. Gill with ~~Farmall~~ tractor on July 24, 1927.		File:Mr Gill with tractor Jul 24 1927.jpg\|Caretaker Mr. Gill with Fordson tractor on July 24, 1927.
	</gallery>		</gallery>

SysopJ at 16:12, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T16:12:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:12, 5 February 2026
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	[[File:Olcott Aerial view.jpg\|430px\|right\|thumb\|Aerial view of campus in 1940s. Image from TSA Archives.]]		[[File:Olcott Aerial view.jpg\|430px\|right\|thumb\|Aerial view of campus in 1940s. Image from TSA Archives.]]
	[[File:Olcott_Arboretum_logo.jpg\|right\|240px\|thumb\|Logo of the '''[[Olcott Arboretum]]''']]		[[File:Olcott_Arboretum_logo.jpg\|right\|240px\|thumb\|Logo of the '''[[Olcott Arboretum]]''']]
	'''Olcott''' is the headquarters estate of the [[Theosophical Society in America]], located in Wheaton, Illinois. It comprises about 41 acres (16.6 hectares) of land, with offices and library in the [[L. W. Rogers Building]], now listed on the '''[https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/database-research.htm#table National Register of Historic Places]''', Reference Number 100011694. Other structures include the [[Quest Bookshop (Wheaton)\|Quest Bookshop]] and the [[Theosophical Publishing House (Wheaton)\|Theosophical Publishing House]] in the Joy Mills Building; warehouse, garages, and maintenance buildings; and houses occupied by employees. The campus and its buildings are entirely vegetarian, and the staff practices recycling, composting, and community gardening in partnership with '''[https://sustaindupage.com/garden Sustain DuPage]'''.		'''Olcott''' is the headquarters estate of the [[Theosophical Society in America]], located in Wheaton, Illinois. It comprises about 41 acres (16.6 hectares) of land, with offices and library in the [[L. W. Rogers Building]], now listed on the '''[https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/database-research.htm#table National Register of Historic Places]''', '''Reference Number 100011694'''. Other structures include the [[Quest Bookshop (Wheaton)\|Quest Bookshop]] and the [[Theosophical Publishing House (Wheaton)\|Theosophical Publishing House]] in the Joy Mills Building; warehouse, garages, and maintenance buildings; and houses occupied by employees. The campus and its buildings are entirely vegetarian, and the staff practices recycling, composting, and community gardening in partnership with '''[https://sustaindupage.com/garden Sustain DuPage]'''.

	The park-like grounds and '''[https://labyrinthlocator.org/?fwp_city=Wheaton&fwp_state=il labyrinth]''' are open to the public from dawn to dusk throughout the year. In 2019 the campus was designated as '''[https://theosophy.wiki/en/Olcott_Arboretum Olcott Arboretum]''' by ArbNet, an international body of accreditation for arboreta.		The park-like grounds and '''[https://labyrinthlocator.org/?fwp_city=Wheaton&fwp_state=il labyrinth]''' are open to the public from dawn to dusk throughout the year. In 2019 the campus was designated as '''[https://theosophy.wiki/en/Olcott_Arboretum Olcott Arboretum]''' by ArbNet, an international body of accreditation for arboreta.

Janet Kerschner at 02:02, 25 August 2025

2025-08-25T02:02:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:02, 25 August 2025
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	These are video tours of the campus and its history:		These are video tours of the campus and its history:
	* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFXPgUdWdHw ''The Theosophical Society in America: A Brief Tour'']'''.		* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFXPgUdWdHw ''The Theosophical Society in America: A Brief Tour'']''', 2012.
	* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLI-uLS6IBg ''The Olcott Campus'']''' by Susan Ohlhaber.		* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLI-uLS6IBg ''The Olcott Campus'']''' by Susan Ohlhaber, 2002.

	== Purchase of the land ==		== Purchase of the land ==

Janet Kerschner at 22:55, 24 August 2025

2025-08-24T22:55:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:55, 24 August 2025
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	[[File:Olcott Aerial view.jpg\|430px\|right\|thumb\|Aerial view of campus in 1940s. Image from TSA Archives.]]		[[File:Olcott Aerial view.jpg\|430px\|right\|thumb\|Aerial view of campus in 1940s. Image from TSA Archives.]]
	[[File:Olcott_Arboretum_logo.jpg\|right\|240px\|thumb\|Logo of the '''[[Olcott Arboretum]]''']]		[[File:Olcott_Arboretum_logo.jpg\|right\|240px\|thumb\|Logo of the '''[[Olcott Arboretum]]''']]
	'''Olcott''' is the headquarters estate of the [[Theosophical Society in America]], located in Wheaton, Illinois. It comprises about 41 acres (16.6 hectares) of land, with offices and library in the [[L. W. Rogers Building]], now listed on the [National Register of Historic Places]. Other structures include the [[Quest Bookshop (Wheaton)\|Quest Bookshop]] and the [[Theosophical Publishing House (Wheaton)\|Theosophical Publishing House]] in the Joy Mills Building; warehouse, garages, and maintenance buildings; and houses occupied by employees. The campus and its buildings are entirely vegetarian, and the staff practices recycling, composting, and community gardening in partnership with '''[https://sustaindupage.com/garden Sustain DuPage]'''.		'''Olcott''' is the headquarters estate of the [[Theosophical Society in America]], located in Wheaton, Illinois. It comprises about 41 acres (16.6 hectares) of land, with offices and library in the [[L. W. Rogers Building]], now listed on the '''[https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/database-research.htm#table National Register of Historic Places]''', Reference Number 100011694. Other structures include the [[Quest Bookshop (Wheaton)\|Quest Bookshop]] and the [[Theosophical Publishing House (Wheaton)\|Theosophical Publishing House]] in the Joy Mills Building; warehouse, garages, and maintenance buildings; and houses occupied by employees. The campus and its buildings are entirely vegetarian, and the staff practices recycling, composting, and community gardening in partnership with '''[https://sustaindupage.com/garden Sustain DuPage]'''.

	The park-like grounds and '''[https://labyrinthlocator.org/?fwp_city=Wheaton&fwp_state=il labyrinth]''' are open to the public from dawn to dusk throughout the year. In 2019 the campus was designated as '''[https://theosophy.wiki/en/Olcott_Arboretum Olcott Arboretum]''' by ArbNet, an international body of accreditation for arboreta.		The park-like grounds and '''[https://labyrinthlocator.org/?fwp_city=Wheaton&fwp_state=il labyrinth]''' are open to the public from dawn to dusk throughout the year. In 2019 the campus was designated as '''[https://theosophy.wiki/en/Olcott_Arboretum Olcott Arboretum]''' by ArbNet, an international body of accreditation for arboreta.

Janet Kerschner at 22:53, 24 August 2025

2025-08-24T22:53:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:53, 24 August 2025
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	[[File:Olcott Aerial view.jpg\|430px\|right\|thumb\|Aerial view of campus in 1940s. Image from TSA Archives.]]		[[File:Olcott Aerial view.jpg\|430px\|right\|thumb\|Aerial view of campus in 1940s. Image from TSA Archives.]]
	[[File:Olcott_Arboretum_logo.jpg\|right\|240px\|thumb\|Logo of the '''[[Olcott Arboretum]]''']]		[[File:Olcott_Arboretum_logo.jpg\|right\|240px\|thumb\|Logo of the '''[[Olcott Arboretum]]''']]
	'''Olcott''' is the headquarters estate of the [[Theosophical Society in America]], located in Wheaton, Illinois. It comprises about 41 acres (16.6 hectares) of land, with offices and library in the [[L. W. Rogers Building]]; the [[Quest Bookshop (Wheaton)\|Quest Bookshop]] and the [[Theosophical Publishing House (Wheaton)\|Theosophical Publishing House]] in the Joy Mills Building; warehouse, garages, and maintenance buildings; and houses occupied by employees.		'''Olcott''' is the headquarters estate of the [[Theosophical Society in America]], located in Wheaton, Illinois. It comprises about 41 acres (16.6 hectares) of land, with offices and library in the [[L. W. Rogers Building]], now listed on the [National Register of Historic Places]. Other structures include the [[Quest Bookshop (Wheaton)\|Quest Bookshop]] and the [[Theosophical Publishing House (Wheaton)\|Theosophical Publishing House]] in the Joy Mills Building; warehouse, garages, and maintenance buildings; and houses occupied by employees. The campus and its buildings are entirely vegetarian, and the staff practices recycling, composting, and community gardening in partnership with '''[https://sustaindupage.com/garden Sustain DuPage]'''.

	The park-like grounds are open to the public from dawn to dusk throughout the year. ~~The campus and its buildings are entirely vegetarian, and the staff practices recycling and composting.~~ In 2019 the campus was designated as '''[https://theosophy.wiki/en/Olcott_Arboretum Olcott Arboretum]''' by ArbNet, an international body of accreditation for arboreta.		The park-like grounds and '''[https://labyrinthlocator.org/?fwp_city=Wheaton&fwp_state=il labyrinth]''' are open to the public from dawn to dusk throughout the year. In 2019 the campus was designated as '''[https://theosophy.wiki/en/Olcott_Arboretum Olcott Arboretum]''' by ArbNet, an international body of accreditation for arboreta.

	These are video tours of the campus and its history:		These are video tours of the campus and its history:

SysopJ: /* Landscaping in 1920s and 1930s */

2025-02-24T23:29:19Z

Landscaping in 1920s and 1930s

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:29, 24 February 2025
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	== Landscaping in 1920s and 1930s ==		== Landscaping in 1920s and 1930s ==
	When purchased, the land was plowed a farm field. The first priority of members was to establish a grove of trees, so on May 8, 1925, Kay Campbell and several others planted the first sapling, a silver linden. Within a few weeks, dozens of trees were planted. A small cottage was built for the caretaker, who started to work on a water feature to take advantage of the stream of water that ran across the middle of the acreage. Members nationwide donated money and plants to create a park-like atmosphere at their new headquarters, and followed the progress each month in [[The Messenger (periodical)\|''The Messenger'']] and [[The Theosophical Messenger (periodical)\|''The Theosophical Messenger'']].		When purchased, the land was plowed a farm field. The first priority of members was to establish a grove of trees, so on [[May 6]], 1925, Kay Campbell and several others planted the first sapling, a silver linden. Within a few weeks, dozens of trees were planted. A small cottage was built for the caretaker, who started to work on a water feature to take advantage of the stream of water that ran across the middle of the acreage. Members nationwide donated money and plants to create a park-like atmosphere at their new headquarters, and followed the progress each month in [[The Messenger (periodical)\|''The Messenger'']] and [[The Theosophical Messenger (periodical)\|''The Theosophical Messenger'']].

	Gradually the estate took on a park-like atmosphere. Several groves and gardens were established from donations of specific members, such as the Aubrey Garden named after the deceased young son of [[Sidney A. Cook]]. Members donated money for recreational facilities to be used by the staff, and by visitors during the summer sessions. A tennis court was constructed, along with three smaller courts for quoit-tennis (also called deck tennis). The water feature was shaped with blocks of stone, and included several pools for water lilies. Unfortunately, the water table dropped sometime in the later 1930s or early 1940s, when Geneva Road (the north boundary of the property) was paved, and water no longer flowed to fill the ponds.		Gradually the estate took on a park-like atmosphere. Several groves and gardens were established from donations of specific members, such as the Aubrey Garden named after the deceased young son of [[Sidney A. Cook]]. Members donated money for recreational facilities to be used by the staff, and by visitors during the summer sessions. A tennis court was constructed, along with three smaller courts for quoit-tennis (also called deck tennis). The water feature was shaped with blocks of stone, and included several pools for water lilies. Unfortunately, the water table dropped sometime in the later 1930s or early 1940s, when Geneva Road (the north boundary of the property) was paved, and water no longer flowed to fill the ponds.

SysopJ at 21:43, 15 November 2023

2023-11-15T21:43:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:43, 15 November 2023
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	President [[L. W. Rogers]] of the [[American Theosophical Society]], now known as the Theosophical Society in America, initiated a search for a permanent headquarters location. The Society had outgrown its Chicago building at 826 Oakdale Avenue. Mr. Rogers sought a new site that was centrally located - that is, within 500 miles of Chicago; near excellent rail transportation; with inexpensive land available in an attractive rural setting. The search was well publicized. Society members wrote to propose locations, and local officials from across the Midwest offered sites. National Secretary Kay Campbell found land in Wheaton that fulfilled all the requirements, and early in 1925 the Society purchased almost 10 acres (4 hectares) of farmland on North Main Street. The original acreage is shown in the aerial photograph above.		President [[L. W. Rogers]] of the [[American Theosophical Society]], now known as the Theosophical Society in America, initiated a search for a permanent headquarters location. The Society had outgrown its Chicago building at 826 Oakdale Avenue. Mr. Rogers sought a new site that was centrally located - that is, within 500 miles of Chicago; near excellent rail transportation; with inexpensive land available in an attractive rural setting. The search was well publicized. Society members wrote to propose locations, and local officials from across the Midwest offered sites. National Secretary Kay Campbell found land in Wheaton that fulfilled all the requirements, and early in 1925 the Society purchased almost 10 acres (4 hectares) of farmland on North Main Street. The original acreage is shown in the aerial photograph above.

	No mortgage was ever necessary to purchase land or finance construction. L. W. Rogers and his successor [[Sidney A. Cook]] worked out a plan for members to lend money in exchange for interest-bearing bonds, even through the difficult years of the Great Depression. Many of the paid-off bonds were burned in a joyful ceremony at the 1938 summer convention, and the final debt was eliminated in 1944.<ref>Janet Kerschner, "When We Burned the Bonds," ''Quest'' 95.5 (September-October, 2007). Available at [~~http~~://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/~~1638#~~ TSA website].</ref>		No mortgage was ever necessary to purchase land or finance construction. L. W. Rogers and his successor [[Sidney A. Cook]] worked out a plan for members to lend money in exchange for interest-bearing bonds, even through the difficult years of the Great Depression. Many of the paid-off bonds were burned in a joyful ceremony at the 1938 summer convention, and the final debt was eliminated in 1944.<ref>Janet Kerschner, "When We Burned the Bonds," ''Quest'' 95.5 (September-October, 2007). Available at [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/when-we-burned-the-bonds?highlight=WyJrZXJzY2huZXIiXQ== TSA website].</ref>

	Over the years, many Society members bought parcels of land adjoining the estate, and donated them to expand the headquarters estate to its current dimensions.		Over the years, many Society members bought parcels of land adjoining the estate, and donated them to expand the headquarters estate to its current dimensions.
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	== Labyrinth ==		== Labyrinth ==
	In 2001, a seven-circuit Cretan-style [[Labyrinth\|labyrinth]] was constructed at the west side of the property. Many visitors enjoy walking the pattern, including church groups on labyrinth tours. "You walk the Olcott labyrinth by entering from the northwest, where the stepping-stone path begins. You follow the path to the center, where you may wish to pause for a few moments. Then you reverse your direction and retrace your path back out to the starting point. In walking any labyrinth, you should always complete the pattern by following the path both inward and outward, rather than cutting across the pattern at any point. The inward movement needs to be complemented by a corresponding outward return."<ref>John Algeo, "The Labyrinth: A Brief Introduction to its History, Meaning and Use" Quest 89.1 (January-February, 2001), 24-25. Available at [~~http~~://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/~~1276#~~ Quest website]</ref>		In 2001, a seven-circuit Cretan-style [[Labyrinth\|labyrinth]] was constructed at the west side of the property. Many visitors enjoy walking the pattern, including church groups on labyrinth tours. "You walk the Olcott labyrinth by entering from the northwest, where the stepping-stone path begins. You follow the path to the center, where you may wish to pause for a few moments. Then you reverse your direction and retrace your path back out to the starting point. In walking any labyrinth, you should always complete the pattern by following the path both inward and outward, rather than cutting across the pattern at any point. The inward movement needs to be complemented by a corresponding outward return."<ref>John Algeo, "The Labyrinth: A Brief Introduction to its History, Meaning and Use" Quest 89.1 (January-February, 2001), 24-25. Available at [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/the-layrinth-a-brief-introduction-to-its-history-meaning-and-use?highlight=WyJsYWJ5cmludGgiXQ== Quest website]</ref>

	[[File:Olcott campus Garden of Remembrance.jpg\|230px\|right\|thumb\|Garden of Remembrance]]		[[File:Olcott campus Garden of Remembrance.jpg\|230px\|right\|thumb\|Garden of Remembrance]]

SysopJ: /* Garden of Remembrance */

2023-01-29T19:50:23Z

Garden of Remembrance

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:50, 29 January 2023
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	[[File:Olcott campus Garden of Remembrance.jpg\|230px\|right\|thumb\|Garden of Remembrance]]		[[File:Olcott campus Garden of Remembrance.jpg\|230px\|right\|thumb\|Garden of Remembrance]]
	== Garden of Remembrance ==		== Garden of Remembrance ==
	The Garden of Remembrance was established as a serene setting for meditation and for remembering loved ones who have passed away. The concept was modeled after the garden of the same name at the international headquarters at [[Adyar (campus)\|Adyar, India]].		The '''[[Garden of Remembrance at Olcott]]''' was established as a serene setting for meditation and for remembering loved ones who have passed away. The concept was modeled after the garden of the same name at the international headquarters at [[Adyar (campus)\|Adyar, India]].
	<br>		<br>
	<br>		<br>

Janet Kerschner: /* Youth Circle */

2021-09-13T20:32:41Z

Youth Circle

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:32, 13 September 2021
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	[[File:Drumming_at_Youth_Circle.jpg\|right\|200px\|thumb\|Drumming at Youth Circle]]		[[File:Drumming_at_Youth_Circle.jpg\|right\|200px\|thumb\|Drumming at Youth Circle]]
	== Youth Circle ==		== Youth Circle ==
	In the mid-1950s, members of the [[Young Theosophists]] at Wheaton constructed a stone circle and fire pit near the western edge of the campus. It has been used in recent years for campouts and is popular for drumming groups.		In the mid-1950s, members of the [[Young Theosophists]] at Wheaton constructed a stone circle and fire pit near the western edge of the campus. It has been used in recent years for campouts and is popular for drumming groups. The fire pit has also been used by the Prairie School of DuPage to boil down sap from campus trees to make maple syrup.
	~~<br>~~
	<br>		<br>
	<br>		<br>

SysopJ: /* Landscaping in 1920s and 1930s */

2020-06-12T19:32:49Z

Landscaping in 1920s and 1930s

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:32, 12 June 2020
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	<gallery>		<gallery>
	File:Planting first tree 1925.jpg\|Kay Campbell planting first tree at Olcott.		File:Planting first tree 1925.jpg\|Kay Campbell planting first tree at Olcott.
			File:Water garden from SE.jpg\|Water garden under construction, August 1925.
	File:Grove and cottage Aug 8 1926 view to W.jpg\|Grove and cottage on August 8, 1926, viewed from east.		File:Grove and cottage Aug 8 1926 view to W.jpg\|Grove and cottage on August 8, 1926, viewed from east.
	File:Mr Gill with tractor Jul 24 1927.jpg\|Caretaker Mr. Gill with Farmall tractor on July 24, 1927.		File:Mr Gill with tractor Jul 24 1927.jpg\|Caretaker Mr. Gill with Farmall tractor on July 24, 1927.
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	== L. W. Rogers Building ==		== L. W. Rogers Building ==