This is to be followed by an additional cash donation by the University, drawing on proceeds from the planned sale of three rezoned parcels of University-owned lakefront property, for which the University’s applications are currently pending with the Village. The university is donating the observatory, several telescopes used to study outer space and 49 acres of surrounding grounds in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, near … The University will share any plan for the future of the observatory with the Village of Williams Bay’s Board of Trustees. In line with community priorities, the University is not considering any high-density development. More information can be found here. UChicago activities at Yerkes Observatory to end in 2018. Unless a buyer came forward, they would close the observatory. YFF will receive a share from the proceeds of the sale of the rezoned lakefront lots per the Yerkes Observatory donation agreement. She uses equipment from the Active Astronomy Kit from NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) project. He said the University is looking for proposals that balance a number of priorities, including the need for a sustainable operational model, the interest in continued public programming, and suitable financial terms. The University of Chicago this week will transfer ownership of Yerkes Observatory and related property located in Williams Bay, Wisconsin to the Yerkes Future Foundation (YFF). Proposals will be confidential at this stage, and the University will continue to share more information with the Village and others as the process unfolds, in coordination with parties who submit proposals. Talks are continuing with the Yerkes Future Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Williams Bay. Educational outreach programs previously offered through the University of Chicago’s Yerkes Observatory will move from the observatory after September 30, 2018 to a new location in Williams Bay, WI. The meeting followed the University’s announcement in March that it will wind down its activities at Yerkes and formally cease on-site operations by Oct. 1, 2018. YFF and the University have agreed to several long-term loans of the University’s astronomical equipment that YFF may use at Yerkes, including the observatory’s large collection of glass plates and several historically significant artifacts. This deadline extension would provide both the observatory and the University 18 months in which to locate and discuss specific details with a new entity in preparation to take over operations of Yerkes. Thanks to the University of Chicago and its many Yerkes employees and scientists through the years, Yerkes has been well-maintained, and our goals include enhancing the magnificence of its structure, telescopes and grounds to continue its historic tourism appeal, and to maximize its educational and scientific potential as a forward-looking inspiration to generations of young scientific hopefuls.”. Out of respect for the descendants’ wishes, the University agreed not to disclose their names and connection at the time. Yerkes Observatory, located on the Williams Bay lakefront, has been part of the Lake Geneva region for more than 120 years, but has been closed to … As part of the process to engage the community about the future of the Yerkes property, the University of Chicago will hold a public meeting at Williams Bay High School on Friday, May 18, 2018. It reflects the commitment of both groups to be responsive to the interests of the Village of Williams Bay community, and the importance of providing a sound foundation for YFF as it prepares to lead Yerkes into the future. The University’s call for Expressions of Interest requests that interested parties submit proposals before June 15. “We are delighted that this process is concluding in a way that brings long-term benefits to the Williams Bay community and future visitors to Yerkes, while serving the future of astronomy and astrophysics research and education at the University of Chicago,” said Fithian. Low-density residential use is being explored as part of a long-term plan for some of the land. A small group of Geneva Lake residents formed the Yerkes Future Foundation in 2018, shortly after the University’s announcement that it would seek a new long-term steward for the observatory. The University welcomes your questions or comments regarding the Yerkes property. The meeting will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Williams Bay High School is located at 500 W. Geneva St., Williams Bay, Wis. UChicago representatives speak at village meeting in Williams Bay, Wis. Stars at Yerkes teacher Kathleen Roper of Hoyleton Grade School practices a classroom exercise that demonstrates the properties of the light spectrum. Frequently Asked Questions A … “We remain hopeful that a new long-term steward can continue to support the observatory and its legacy, in keeping with the community’s high regard for that history and the potential for education,” said Derek Douglas, Vice President for Civic Engagement and External Affairs at UChicago. You two are the best! In making its rezoning proposal, the University listened closely to longstanding community concerns about high-density residential development. As part of this effort, the University will continue ongoing talks about the observatory’s future with interested parties, including representatives of Charles T. Yerkes’ descendants, the Village of Williams Bay, and the Yerkes Future Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Williams Bay. No buyer came forward, so they shut the doors to the public on October 1, 2018. The University continues to evaluate and pursue options for the long-term operation of the Yerkes campus. University of Chicago to transfer of ownership of Yerkes Observatory to Yerkes Future Foundation. Get notified by e-mail when a reply is posted. And so, for about $300,000, the world’s largest telescope was built and Yerkes Observatory was founded in 1897. As introduced at the Plan Commission meeting in March, the University is seeking approval on the rezoning of the lakefront property to three residential lots. Wisconsin forums . A slightly longer than normal (24 minute) Sky at Night, broadcast in March 1988, about the Yerkes Observatory. It was operated by the University of Chicago Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics from its founding in 1897 to 2020. Both the University and YFF would like to express their appreciation for the support shown by the Yerkes family, the Village of Williams Bay and many educators and scientists. Please check this site frequently for updates and information. YFF is dedicated to restoring the great, historic observatory as a monument to American achievements in astronomy and as an operating scientific and educational institution capable of carrying Yerkes’ contributions into the future. The three new residential lots will provide an expanded tax base for the Village of Williams Bay. Apart from the main observatory building and the refracting telescope itself, the land and other structures of the Yerkes campus are the property of the University by virtue of other gifts or direct investments of University resources, and are not subject to the terms of the gift from Charles T. Yerkes. The Yerkes Future Foundation would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement over the past two years. David Fithian, who has led the transfer process for the University of Chicago, said having a successor organization that is dedicated to Yerkes and the community provides an appropriate new chapter for the observatory. The University of Chicago announced in March that it would close the observatory to the public---but---maintain a minimal operation for educational and research programs. Additional information will be made available as appropriate. Plan for closing Yerkes Observatory to public nears completion, as UChicago continues to seek new long-term steward. It is no longer in operation. Since then, the University has issued a call for proposals for the future of Yerkes, and engaged in talks over the summer with parties interested in the property. Yerkes Proposal Process - PDF. The Yerkes Observatory, arguably the birthplace of modern astrophysics, is an astronomical observatory of the University of Chicago in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Yerkes and its staff require ample time in order to craft, uphold, and ultimately implement a successful, smooth, and productive transition. NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, will become a flying classroom for our Stars at Yerkes outreach educators Lynne Zielinski, Kathy Gustavson, and Marcella Linahan (pictured here L-R in the Yerkes Observatory Morgan Room). Yerkes Observatory is the observing facility of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics of the University of Chicago and is devoted to research in astronomy and astrophysics, as well as graduate education. The University will continue to occasionally operate the telescopes at Yerkes to ensure the Observatory can continue to be used for  research and education, and the large collection of glass photographic plates will continue to be available to researchers by appointment via the department Astronomy and Astrophysics. For questions and comments, please contact yerkes@uchicago.edu. At a public meeting held by the Village of Williams Bay, representatives from the University of Chicago took questions from the Village Board of Directors and heard comments from the public about the Yerkes property. The remainder of the proceeds from the sale will help support the future of astronomy and astrophysics at UChicago, including the University’s major investments in the Magellan and Giant Magellan telescopes in Chile. The observatory is on the west side of the village of Williams Bay, Wisconsin, on the bank of Lake Geneva, 76 miles from Chicago. “Our hope is to maintain and develop this beautiful and important observatory as a jewel in the crown of this community for generations to come.”. Please use the field below to share your feedback with the University. Jan 4, 2021 - The Yerkes Observatory is currently closed to the public and is expected to reopen in late 2019 or early 2020. Preview. Educational outreach programs previously offered through the University of Chicago’s Yerkes Observatory will move from the observatory after September 30, 2018 to a new location in Williams Bay, WI. The University also will make a significant monetary donation of seed funding for YFF at the time of transfer. The University also said that the bequest letter only concerns “the main observatory building and refracting telescope.” At the time it did not reveal the names of the Yerkes descendants, “out of respect for the descendants’ wishes.” This is still the University’s most recent statement on its Yerkes Update page as of May 6. YFF’s objectives include restoration and refurbishing of the telescopes and building, reopening the space for visitors and establishing educational, research, seminars and various additional opportunities for students, astronomers, astrophysicists and others. UChicago holds public meeting on future of Yerkes Observatory property As the University of Chicago proceeds with talks concerning the future of Yerkes Observatory, one point that has arisen is the potential interest among descendants of Charles T. Yerkes, the philanthropist whose gift first established the observatory in the 1890s. As part of the transfer, scheduled for May 1, the University is donating to YFF the historic observatory campus, which includes the observatory building including the large telescopes, and other property on the site. Closed/Pending transfer in principle - Yerkes Observatory - The birthplace of modern astrophysics. Our yerkes observatory canvas art is stretched on 1.5 inch thick stretcher bars and may be customized with your choice of black, white, or mirrored sides. Wisconsin forums . In recent months the University has met and spoken with descendants of Charles T. Yerkes and provided them with the original gift document [available here – see text version here], which involves only the main observatory building and refracting telescope. We are excited to begin the next phase of restoration, preservation, programming and research at this historic observatory. Buy yerkes observatory canvas prints designed by millions of independent artists from all over the world. More than 300 people came to the public meeting in Williams Bay, with questions and comments from about 30 individuals and 42 written comment cards. All forums . Yerkes Observatory (Google Maps). In April 2018 the University of Chicago, owners of the Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, announced that they had no practical use for such an observatory. Yerkes Observatory, which has operated in Williams Bay, Wis., near the Illinois border for 121 years and once was considered the birthplace of modern astrophysics, will be closing Oct. 1. Some of the educational programs previously offered at the observatory will move to UChicago’s campus in Chicago, and the University understands that a new local organization has plans to operate some programs at a new location in Williams Bay, not affiliated with UChicago. After that time, they will be operated by Geneva Lake Astrophysics and STEAM, Inc. and will no longer be supported by the University of Chicago. 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