Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
The Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area, or Ryerson Woods, is a 552-acre preserve located near Deerfield, Illinois. With 279 acres officially dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve, Ryerson is home to several rare species, including the blue-spotted salamander, wood frog, eastern massasauga rattlesnake, red-shouldered hawk, veery, and purple fringed orchid.

Six miles of flat trails wind through a stately forest and follow a quiet river. They are open to hikers and--when snow is at least four inches deep--cross-country skiers.

Brushwood, built as a summer home by Ryerson Steel chairman and Chicagoland philanthropist, Edward L. Ryerson, houses the staff of the Friends of Ryerson Woods, as well as a collection of rare nature books and changing art exhibitions depicting the beauty and wonder of nature.

The Brushwood home is one of the architectural treasures of the Ryerson Conservation Area. Inspired by an 1840s Greek Revival farmhouse in Marengo, Illinois, Brushwood was built in 1942. The stately home with a columned portico was designed by Ambrose Cramer, who once worked for the great estate architect, David Adler. The historic feel of the house was achieved by salvaging brick, woodwork, and fixtures from older buildings. Cramer always described his project for the Ryersons as his best. Ryerson Woods is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A model of green architecture, The Welcome Center houses an extensive natural science library, a children's nature library and the environmental education staff of the Lake County Forest Preserves. The Ryerson Conservation Area offers many nature programs and special events throughout the year for families, adults, children, teachers and community groups.

For more information about Ryerson Conservation Area, please call (847) 968-3321 or email us at ryersonwoods@co.lake.il.us.

Hours of Operation
Ryerson Woods is open daily 6:30 am to sunset.

Brushwood hours:
Tuesday - Friday 10am-2pm
Sunday 1-3pm
or by appointment
To schedule an appointment, please call:  (847)968-3343

Brushwood Rental Information
Elegance and Tranquility Brushwood is available for private or corporate meetings, parties, weddings and other events. Rates vary by group type and time/day of event. Additional fees apply for late-night rentals and those with alcohol. Please call for details. Reduced rates are available for not-for-profit groups.
To obtain information, arrange to view the house or make a reservation, please call 847.968.3343 during office hours, 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.

Special Features
- Spectacular natural setting
- Intimate, elegant home
- Fabulous back garden area with porches and native plantings for outdoor receptions
- Ample parking
- Handicapped accessible
- Break out space available
- Kitchen facilities

Capacity
Great Room: Lecture Style 50
Sit Down Dinners 48
Cocktails 80
Larger capacities can be accommodated by tenting a portion of the parking lot adjacent to Brushwood.

 
Historical Facts
The Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area (Ryerson Woods) is unique in the country--nationally recognized for its ecological, historical and architectural significance. Located on the east bank of the Des Plaines River, the area has long served as a natural corridor for travel by land and water. Major Native American trails forded the river at the present site of Ryerson Woods.

Settlement of the area began in 1834 when the Potowatomi Chief Mettawa helped Captain Daniel Wright, Lake County Illinois' first European landowner, build a pioneer cabin just west of Ryerson Woods. Early residents subdivided the heavily wooded land into 5 to 20-acre woodlots to ensure a supply of lumber for fuel, fenceposts and lumber. Cattle grazed the area and removed the understory shrubs, creating a park-like setting.

Starting in the 1920's Edward L. Ryerson and several of his friends built log cabins in the woods to use for weekend getaways; several of the cabins still remain. In 1938, Ryerson purchased 250 acres of adjacent farmland where he became a gentleman farmer, raising Arabian horses. The farmland is now being restored to prairie.

By 1942, he had built their Greek Revival summerhouse at "Brushwood Farm" which is now used by the staff of the Friends of Ryerson Woods.

In the 1960's, Ryerson and his friends began, under Ryerson's leadership, to donate and sell their land to the Lake County Illinois Forest Preserve District.

In 1972, 279 acres of the Ryerson Conservation Area were dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve, owned and managed by the Lake County Forest Preserve District, recognizing the unique unspoiled natural woodland areas.

Today the district owns and manages the 552 acres of property to preserve the natural and cultural history of the area, as well as to provide environmental education and recreational opportunities.
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Friends of Ryerson Woods
Created in 1982, Friends of Ryerson Woods works closely with the Lake County Forest Preserves to help protect this rare ecosystem for present and future generations. Friends of Ryerson Woods sponsors environmental education programs and projects to contribute to the resources at Ryerson Woods and inspire and inform people about the importance of our remaining natural areas.

Mission
Friends of Ryerson Woods uses the unique setting of Ryerson Woods to catalyze people's understanding, life-long appreciation, and behavior in support of nature. Friends accomplishes its mission in partnership with the Lake County Forest Preserve District.
 
Vision
Friends of Ryerson Woods will be a steward of the natural sanctuary that the Woods provide, ensuring its continuance as a quiet retreat.  The historic buildings and grounds will be a center for training, education and discourse about nature for all skill levels and age groups, and an incubator for innovative approaches to environmental issues.  Friends will convene organizations of the Chicago metropolitan region to seek creative, collaborative partnerships, providing a rich array of interdisciplinary programs that build a tradition of quality and dynamism.

Join Friends of Ryerson Woods.

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Biodiversity
The Ryerson Conservation Area possesses one of the finest deciduous hardwood forests in the Chicago Region. The forest consists of four distinct types: a wet flood plain forest of ash, silver maple and hackberry along the Des Plaines River; a mesic sugar maple forest on the better-drained terrace soils; a dry-mesic upland forest of oaks and hickories; and a wet upland flatwoods forest containing swamp white oak and wet meadows. The most dominant feature of the nature preserve is the Des Plaines River and its floodplain.

The relative spacious and undisturbed woodland provides an excellent habitat for wildlife. Deer, raccoons, opossums and woodchucks can often be seen; foxes, skunks, beaver and muskrats also make the woods their home; coyotes are returning to the area. Birds of all kinds, including bluebirds and several species of hawk, make Ryerson Woods a wonderful place for bird watching, especially in the spring when the warblers are migrating through. Spiders, reptiles, amphibians, insects and many unseen creatures, round out the ecosystem.

As an Illinois Nature Preserve, Ryerson Woods is one of the most significant natural areas in our region, still retaining flora and fauna which were present at the time of settlement. "Brushwood", the Ryerson's farm, is presently under restoration. Preservation is deemed to be the highest and best use of the land.
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Archives
The Lake County Discovery Museum maintains a Ryerson Woods archive of materials and records. These items are part of the Museum's collection and may be viewed by appointment only.
Please contact Diana Dretske, Collections Coordinator if you would like to research the collection.
847-968-3381

The Lake County Discovery Museum is located at:
27277 Forest Preserve Road
Wauconda, IL 60084

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Copyright 2001-09
Pustelnik Designs and Friends of Ryerson Woods