Part Seven of a Series: When the Boyntons Met Lawrence
By Marwin Wrolstad
The history of Björklunden, at least as far as Lawrence University is concerned, begins with the story of how Winifred and Donald Boynton first focused on the college as a possible beneficiary and steward of their 325-acre estate just south of Baileys Harbor (told in Professor Charles Breunig’s book, A Great and Good Work: A History of Lawrence University 1847-1964, pp. 258-259).
Harry Wells, the financial vice president of Northwestern University and
a Lawrence trustee, was responsible for the initiation of conversations
between President
Douglas Knight and Mr. and Mrs. Boynton to explore how their expectations for
the future of the estate, particularly the Chapel, could
be satisfied if the property were to be conveyed to Lawrence.
President Knight was particularly well-suited for his role. He was a sensitive
listener and could explain persuasively how the Boyntons’ dreams for
the estate could mesh with and be supported by the mission of the college.
We know
that other institutions had been considered by the Boyntons, including Northwestern
University and St. Olaf College, among others, but none of them had Douglas
Knight.
The final understanding was that the legal title to the land and buildings
would be deeded to Lawrence in fee simple (to be done in partial conveyances
to maximize
the tax benefits for the Boyntons), subject to a life interest on the part
of Winifred and Donald. There were no legal restrictions placed on Lawrence
regarding
future use or sale. There was, however, a very firm commitment made by President
Knight that the Chapel and its immediate environs would be preserved and
that the Chapel would be used for devotions and religious services on a regular
basis.
There are those, including the writer, who believe that there was another
dynamic besides President Knight’s persuasiveness that subtly but positively influenced
the Boyntons’ receptivity to the thought of Lawrence being the caretaker
of their prized and precious property.
The Boyntons had been spending a good part of each year in Door County for
nearly three decades. They were active people and very supportive of the
arts, including
the Peninsula Players and the maritime museum in Sturgeon Bay. They were
close friends of Gerhard Miller, the well-known Door County artist, and specifically
bequeathed the grand piano in the lodge to the Miller Art Museum.
Through these activities and associations they became friends of a number
of Lawrence-related people who were also seasonal residents of Door County,
such
as David Stevens, John Reeve, Frank Shattuck, Edwin West, and many others — all
of them people who wore their Lawrence colors with pride. For the Boyntons,
it was easy to think positively of Lawrence because of their respect for
these fellow
Door County residents.
Knowing that the responsibilities and opportunities associated with ownership
of the property would be the college’s in the not-too-distant future, many
discussions, formal and informal, were held to make plans. There were members
of the college’s governing board who felt that the bulk of the land should
be sold and the proceeds added to the endowment. To avoid the potential commercial
development of Björklunden’s mile and a quarter of Lake Michigan
shoreline, the Nature Conservancy was invited to consider the purchase of
the land. Its
response was to encourage the college to avoid development if at all possible,
but the Conservancy regretted that it already had more commitments in Door
County than it could finance.
Donald Boynton died in 1966, and Winifred died in 1974, at which time Lawrence
gained full control of the property. Milton Henquinet, the Boyntons’ caretaker
for many years, was ready to retire after Winifred’s death, so Norbert
Vonck, assistant director of Facility Services at Lawrence, was transferred
to Björklunden to maintain and manage the property, which he did for
three years. Joseph Hopfensperger ’52, professor emeritus of
theatre and drama, was hired as the first resident director in 1977. The
Björklunden Summer
Seminars were launched in 1980.
