DEKOVEN HISTORY
The DeKoven Center began as Racine College, founded and chartered in 1852. Racine College was developed by the Episcopal Church with Bishop Jackson Kemper being one of the founders. The first building, Park Hall, completed in 1853, and Kemper Hall, “a twin to the first,” completed in the autumn of 1859, is now part of the East Building paralleling Lake Michigan.
In 1859, the Rev. Dr. James DeKoven came to Racine College from St. John’s Hall in Delafield and became Warden. Since St. John’s merged with Racine College, its faculty came with him. It was DeKoven who gave the Racine College campus focus, modeling the quadrangle of English colleges, with faculty and students living on campus and dining together in a common Refectory, today known as the Great Hall.
Racine College became a prominent institution of higher learning under DeKoven’s leadership. It attracted excellent faculty and good students. Mary Todd Lincoln, considering it for her son Tad, visited the campus. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the great essayist and poet, lectured here. General Billy Mitchell was a graduate.
DeKoven gained fame as preacher and writer and is commemorated in the Episcopal Church on March 22nd. He died in 1879, but Racine College continued in one form or another. 1889 saw a closure of the collegiate department with the grammar school remaining. Time saw the educational institution became a preparatory school, then a military school as well. But the changes in education combined with the forces of the Great Depression forced the end of all activity in 1933.
The “twins” of Kemper Hall (right, 1859) and Park Hall (left, 1853) prior to Great Hall and Assembly Hall between them.
Sisters of the Community of St. Mary - Western Province process in St. John’s Chapel for a service.
The Community of St. Mary - Western Province first used the Racine College property for as a summer girls camp, and then was able to buy the property. They established the DeKoven Foundation for Church Work and under that banner organized retreats, conferences, and church activities and a long running summer camp for girls. Space was rented to educational groups and other entities. For 50 years, the Sisters welcomed those seeking a place for retreat, rest, reconciliation and re-energizing.
By 1985, the Community determined they were no longer able to manage DeKoven and made arrangements with the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee to take over the property. Retreats and conferences continued. The diocese determined to develop the north end athletic fields of the property into a senior living housing facility. The development struggled to survive, resulting in the loss of the housing property and historic property, which was purchased by a commercial owner in 1996.
The new owner leased back the historic property to previous tenants, including the DeKoven presence. Then in 1999, through efforts of supporters of the historic campus and community members, the historic buildings and property of 11-acres was purchased and ownership taken by the DeKoven Foundation. The woods on the west side of the property were purchased by the City of Racine with the senior community housing, Lake Oaks, continuing under commercial ownership.
Over the next twenty years, through the generosity of benefactors and grants, major restoration and upgrades to mechanical systems took place. Restoration of the Bell Tower and Spire was completed with the bell ringing hourly, reminding those who hear it of the incredible durability of the campus and its history.
More recently, DeKoven has diversified activities on the campus. It continues to welcome a wide variety of groups for retreats, conferences and events. DeKoven has become a popular location for weddings, being able to host ceremonies and receptions with graciousness and hospitality. Wedding guests and guests from near and far enjoy staying at the on campus Air BnBs. Spaces continue to be rented to entities, such as the Spectrum School for the Arts and Community Gallery. People continue to enjoy the beautiful grounds, tended to by volunteer master gardeners, as well as volunteers whose thumb may not be all that green. Affordable housing units continue to be offered.
An ARPA grant was received in 2021, allowing upgrades to the DeKoven kitchen, development of a food-service training program and opportunity to assist local community sites with their meal programs.
The DeKoven Center continues a 170+ year legacy of education, spiritual reflection, and recreation. Individuals and groups of all faiths continue to visit and use the historic campus. The are making history, where history happened.
Interested in DeKoven’s History? Contact Rory Graves, Archives Collection Manager (rgraves@dekovencenter.org) to discover ways you can learn more or be involved in making history happen.
Students playing on the lawn outside Taylor Hall. Click to view larger image.
