FAQ's

What is Animal Houses?
From May through November of 2009, visitors to The Morton Arboretum will be surprised and delighted to discover 11 oversized animal shelters nestled within the woodland, wetland, and prairie habitats of the Arboretum. Animal Houses is an imaginative outdoor exhibition that invites children and families to experience the natural world through the eyes of local animals and to learn how these animals live and interact with trees and their changing environments. The animals selected represent actual animals that could be found living in northern Illinois, set in the environmental habitats they occupy. The large-scale houses will be interactive so visitors can enter, explore, and engage with them.

Why did the Arboretum create an exhibition about animals? Isn't the Arboretum about trees?
Local animals depend on healthy woodlands, wetlands, and prairies for their homes and survival. Trees and woody plants are key components of healthy habitats-for animals and people. One of the exhibition goals is to connect people to the lives of animals and inspire awareness and caring about their habitats and the trees that are essential to animal survival.

Given the familiarity people have with the concept of "home" and "neighborhood," this exhibition offers a prime opportunity to facilitate connections between visitors and animal habitats. We encourage visitors to consider how animals and humans similarly depend upon trees and the rest of the natural world for survival. After visiting the exhibition, we hope visitors will feel an increased desire to promote healthy trees and habitats.

What age group will most appreciate Animal Houses?
Animal Houses is designed for people of all ages. This exhibition will set the stage for active family learning and group participation that fosters discussion. Children will be encouraged to pretend, observe, and investigate as they explore the homes. Adults will not only be able to share in the imaginative exploration but also to enjoy the aesthetic aspects of these whimsical and artistic creations. All visitors will have an educational experience as they learn how animals live and how the environment shapes animal homes.

What is new about this exhibition?
This exhibition was created exclusively for The Morton Arboretum by a group of designers selected through a competitive process. The individual artists' visions, combined with the oversized scale of each house, create a unique experience in perception. Visitors can see the world from both the artist's and the animal's point of view, and appreciate nature from a new perspective. The use of environmentally friendly products to fabricate many exhibition elements will ensure that the project has minimal impact on the environment, and will offer additional educational opportunities related to resource conservation and the Arboretum goal of making the world a greener, healthier, and more beautiful place.

When will the exhibition be open?
It runs from Friday, May 22, 2009 (Memorial Day weekend) until Sunday, November 15, 2009
How much does it cost to view the exhibition?
Animal Houses is free with Arboretum admission.

Where will the exhibition be located?
The exhibition will be located in three different habitat areas of the Arboretum and in Arbor Court. The Guest House is designed to orient visitors to the exhibition and encourage exploration of the three habitat areas. This animal house, along with an activity area where families can make animal tracks in sand and learn more about familiar animals, will be located in Arbor Court near the Visitor Center. Visitors will discover four "Wetland" habitat animal homes near Bur Reed Marsh (accessible via Parking Lot 6 and an additional temporary parking lot just east of P6) on the East Side; three "Woodland" habitat homes near Big Rock Visitor Station (park in P13 or the BRVS lot) on the East Side; and three "Prairie" habitat homes near Prairie Visitor Station (park at PVS) on the West Side. The different exhibition areas are accessible by car, bicycle, or for those interested in a long walk, on foot.

A short, family-friendly trail extends from each habitat cluster. These trails are designed to encourage families to search for real animal homes in nature and include interpretive panels indicating clues to look for. Maps will be available to guide visitors to each area.

Where can I learn more about each habitat?
Visitors can access an audio guide to the Animal Houses habitats by calling the following telephone numbers before, during, or after their visit to hear 5-minutes of habitat highlights:

Wetland: 630-725-2496
Woodland: 630-725-2497
Prairie: 630-725-2498

Visitors can also visit www.mortonarb.org/animalhouses for online family activities and more information about the exhibition and associated programs

What are the different animal houses and who are the designers?
ARBOR COURT (near Visitor Center)

Pat Warner, Artist; Lahabra Heights, CA
Guest House

WETLANDS (near Bur Reed Marsh)

Freelance Illustrations; Wauconda, IL
Pollywog Pond

SMT Architects, P.C.; Glen Ellyn, IL
Beaver Lodge

Outhouse Design; Chicago, IL
Skunk Den

Living Habitats; Chicago, IL
Great Blue Heron Rookery
PRAIRIE (near Prairie Visitor Station)

Chicago Scenic Studios; Chicago, IL
Spider Web

Outhouse Design; Chicago, IL
Ant Colony
Coyote Den

WOODLAND (near Big Rock Visitor Station)

John Dalton Design; Evanston, IL
Raccoon Den and Fallen Log

Outhouse Design; Chicago, IL
Squirrel Drey

How do I get more information?
Visit The Morton Arboretum website at www.mortonarb.org