The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Campus grounds

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Institution Name: St. Norbert College
Original/Historic Place Name: Campus grounds
Location on Campus: entire campus grounds
Date(s) of Construction:

ca. 1927-1950s

landscape plan Keefe, Anselm

Designer: Anselm Keefe
Type of Place: Landscape site
Style: Romanesque revival (Glossary)
Significance: landscape, religion
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Function:

ca. 2004-present (2006)

master plan (campus)

Narrative:
The entire campus of St. Norbert College is a place of historical significance because of the variety of trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plantings done by Fr. Anselm Keefe during his time on campus between 1910 and the 1970s.

While he served as the Dean of the college, Chair of Biology, teacher, colonel in the U.S. Army, and Norbertine priest, he succeeded in transplanting most of the trees and shrubs indigenous to Wisconsin. He also planted gardens and built shrines, and developed the first detailed campus tree plan. Not only did his plantings beautify the campus, but they also served as a valuable resource for his classes. He was considered the resident botanical expert on campus.

References: