Loved ones of Aldo Leopold visit his Madison home after decades
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Historians and family and friends of Aldo Leopold spent an afternoon reminiscing at the conservationist’s former home.
From 1924 until his death in 1948, Aldo Leopold lived in craftsman style home on Van Hise Avenue in Madison.
“It was just an interesting place. It sort of dripped with all of the history.”
When Alan Anderson was 24 years old, he had the rare opportunity to stay in their household, tasked with keeping Mrs. Leopold company.
“You know, when I was asked to do it I thought, ‘oh boy, I get to move into Aldo Leopold’s house, what an amazing experience’” he said. “And I was wrong because I was moving into Estella Leopold’s house.”
Decades later, the historical landmark remains. On Wednesday, loved ones gathered at the home after many years and reminisced.
“This is fun because I haven’t been here since ‘75.” Leopold’s granddaughter Trish Stevenson said. “There’s a window from one bedroom to the next bedroom. We would climb in and out of that bedroom when our grandmother and mom were asleep.”
The contents of the home have changed, but the bones remain.
“They really understand and respect the importance of the legacy and are so thrilled and honored to be extending that,” Executive Director of Aldo Leopold Foundation Buddy Huffaker said. “And they’re taking such great care of it.”
The new owners, admirers of Leopold’s work, are continuing to keep his legacy alive.
“It was our dream home in what it is physically and what it represents,” current owner Chris McMahon said.
This July, the home turns 100-years-old.
“Everybody who lived there has collected the articles as time went by and the National Geographic articles,” McMahon said. “Everything that keeps it as a living history of what’s happened to the housing from the beginning until now.”
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