At the time the observatory's telescope was only twelve inches, considered then as the height of technology. The Kirkwood Observatory quickly became a leader in the nation in the field of astronomy. Its scientists conducted groundbreaking research on comets, meteors, asteroids, and visual binary stars. In 1907, Wilbur A. Cogshall was named Director of the Kirkwood Observatory. He set up an optical shop in the basement of the observatory, which he used to create eight, twelve, and twenty-four-inch refractors for the telescope. This proved instrumental in the taking of photographs of the famous Halley's Comet, as well as other comets. The building was renovated in 2001, and though the telescope is no longer used for scientific research, it is still used for educational purposes. Free viewings through the telescope are offered on Wednesday evenings, and special group showings are available by scheduling an appointment with the Department of Astronomy. Open houses for the solar telescope are often held every second Saturday.

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Indiana University's Kirkwood Observatory was completed in 1901 and named in honor of Daniel Kirkwood, a renowned astronomer and Indiana University math professor who died a few years prior. The observatory offers programming and resources that combine history and science. The domed observatory houses a .03 meter refracting telescope that is open to the public every Wednesday after sunset from March through November. The observatory also offers a solar telescope and a variety of exhibits and educational programs.

Kirkwood Observatory

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This has long been a popular wooded area for local children to explore and a gathering place for 4th of July festivities. David Jordan Starr, the university’s president from 1884-1891, believed that preserving the wooded area would be suitable for the institution’s new liberal arts program. The value placed on this wooded area guided the design for the new campus. The Chicago Parks superintendent, Olaf Benson, submitted a proposal for campus design in 1884, and his proposal featured the woods remaining at the forefront of the campus. Benson wrote, “Care should be taken not to sacrifice trees of any value.”David Mottier, head of Indiana University’s Botany Department, was an early and prominent figure involved with preserving the natural beauty of Indiana University’s campus. He was tasked with developing a plan for campus walks. Mottier was successful and eventually, the world-renowned designers who created New York City’s Central Park, the Olmstead Brothers, were brought in to design a more fundamental campus plan. The brothers strongly advised that the wooded area be preserved and become a centrally located campus park. The trees were sparse when the university originally bought the land. Over the years it’s become a lush forest. The area has never been logged and is managed naturally with little intervention.Herman B Wells, Indiana University’s 11th president from 1938-1962, played a pivotal role in preserving the wooded areas around campus.“I hope our alumni will always insist upon the retention of our precious islands of green and serenity – our most important physical asset, transcending even classrooms, libraries, and laboratories in their ability to inspire students to dream long dreams of future usefulness and achievement – dreams that are an important and essential part of the undergraduate college experience.” – Herman B Wells, 1962

After the 1883 fire that destroyed the old campus (Seminary Square), Dunn's Woods became the center of the Indiana University campus.  Dunn's Woods, a twenty-acre beech and maple forest is the heart of Indiana University and an excellent place to observe nature, reflect, study, or relax. This wooded oasis hosts a diverse ecosystem, harboring rabbits, squirrels, wildflowers, mushrooms, Cooper’s hawks, and the northern short-tailed shrew. Native trees such as walnut, sycamore, basswood, buckeye, beech, maple, ash, oak, and hickory grow in Dunn's Woods. 

The beautiful Dunn's Woods, which are located on the eastern side of Indiana University’s campus, were once considered private property. In fact, the woodland used to cover a greater area of land up until the university expanded its grounds, building lecture halls where parts of the woods previously stood. To truly understand the value and significance of this outdoor area, it’s important to learn about the history of the woods and their prominence even before it was part of the Indiana University campus. Before the establishment of Dunn's Woods as an outdoor area available for Indiana University students, faculty, and other visitors to explore, the same mass of land was owned by the Dunn Family. During the majority of the 19th century, the IU campus was much smaller in comparison to its current size and was located at nowadays Seminary Square Park. However, due to a fire which destroyed many of the buildings, the campus had to relocate. This is when the board decided to start building in the area surrounding Dunn's Woods, leading them to purchase the woodland from Moses Fell Dunn. The board went through quite a bit of deliberation before making the purchase but eventually settled on acquiring 20 acres at a price of six thousand dollars (Mincey 2009, 3). Because of Indiana University’s decision to purchase the land and initially have it be the heart of campus, the green space can now be enjoyed by many more members of the university and the public in comparison to when the area was considered private property over a century ago. Even as the campus has continued to expand, the University has made it a priority to preserve the tranquility of such a historically significant green space. Although Indiana University’s negotiations with the Dunn family have been recorded to be relatively straightforward over the years, multiple speculations and rumors have still come up about the negotiations that were originally made. The three main stipulations include that the Dunn Family burial plot located on the property sold cannot be moved; anytime a tree is cut down, another must be planted in its place, and the location of the Sweetheart tree cannot be hindered. The deed, which officially granted Dunn's Woods to the new Indiana University Campus, does not mention anything about the family plot; however, a separate deed has been found which does preserve a portion of the land exclusively for members of the Dunn family. Moses’s father, George Dunn, drew up this deed 28 years before the land was signed over to IU. It stated, “In order to secure and perpetuate to the descendants of Eleanor Dunn, Nancy Alexander, and Jane Irvin who be buried within the plat of ground…and to those with whom they intermarry forever a place of private burial where they shall repose together as one family in the long night of death and rise up together as from one bed at the last day” (McCarthy 2018). Since the deed drawn up by George Dunn was signed in1855, only ancestors of George’s mother and his two aunts are allowed to be buried there. In terms of the validity of the rumor about every tree that is cut down having to be replaced, there has never been a formal policy implemented regarding the issue. However, Mia Williams, who is a university landscape architect, said that even though there is no formal policy, there is still a minimum replacement standard due to hindrance caused by construction, saying that for every one tree cut down three new ones should be planted. The last rumor about the sweetheart tree has also been found to be false. To provide some context, the tree is an American Beech and it is located in the center of the courtyard for the chemistry building. The legend associated with it states that the Dunn's issued an order to protect the tree because their oldest daughter and her significant other had carved their initials onto the trunk of that tree, giving it a sentimental worth. This created a precedent for other couples leading them to carve their initials as well, giving the university a reason to preserve it even though the deed to the woods does not indicate a mandated protection of the tree. In other words there is no written requirement for protecting the tree, but the university has chosen to because of the emotional connection so many individuals have to it (McCarthy 2018).

Originally, Dunn's Woods was purchased by Indiana University in 1883 from Moses Fell Dunn as the university was getting ready to transfer to a new location. For about 60 years before the transfer, the institution was located in Seminary Square. Now Dunn's Woods includes what was left of the original 20-acre purchase after the Old Crescent was constructed by the University, which is comprised of several buildings, including Owen and Wylie Halls as well as five other buildings that were added later. The woodland is located on the southwest side of the campus. Along with beautiful greenery and various forms of wildlife, it is characterized by its unique terrain and diverse geographical bodies such as the Jordan River, which flows through it (Bracalente 2012).

The History of Dunn's Woods 

Dunn's Woods became Indiana University's central area in 1884, and was partially chosen because of the beautiful native species residing there. New plant species have been introduced since, and while the majorities of these species are from a planned list- wintercreeper was an exception. Wintercreeper is an invasive plant species taking up a lot of ground in Dunn's Woods. This is now causing problems for previously residing plants. Wintercreeper is categorized as a fast-growing land cover/vine/shrub. This plant species can reside anywhere from forest, concrete walkways, to growing up the sides of trees or buildings. This species is well known to be invasive in most areas due to its fast and adapting growth. Wintercreeper can grow in harsh conditions also, which is why they're considered a wide-spread plant. As long as it has 4 hours of sunlight daily, this species can continue to grow. The only soil requirements correlated with this plant is that there needs to be slight moisture present, which marks almost any soiled area as a solid habitat. While this seems to be an invincible plant, they can't grow in areas that receive excessive amounts of precipitation, or where there's lots of water previously present. There are a few different ways that wintercreepers can be distinguished. This plant is a leafy green shrub, which when found is often found covering a large space. A description provided by www.missouriconservation.org explains, "the opposite leaves are oval, slightly toothed, glossy and less than an inch long. The leathery dark green leaves have silvery-white veins. The young stems are green, with branches becoming light gray, and covered with tiny warts with age (2011). The flowers that the wintercreepers bloom appear to be yellow/green and have 5 petals. These flowers then produce a pink/red fruit with orange seeds. These flowers bloom anywhere from May to July, with the fruits maturing through November. These flowers can only occur in wintercreeper that are climbing, not in the vines creeping along the ground. The history of the wintercreeper in America dates back to 1907, when it was introduced from China. It started as a favorable vine due to its rapid growing in intense conditions, allowing it to hold landscaping together. People who owned land began using it in the South, where there is harsh heat and less moisture than most plants need to survive. The discovery of this plant proves to be useful in areas like this, but when introduced to places like Dunn's Woods, the story changes. In urbanized areas, where there are native species growing, people prefer the native plants to show. The wintercreeper prevents this because of its fast, unstoppable growth, that occupies the land that other plant species need to grow. It also prevents growth of other plant species because it is growing as more of a monoculture, preventing the more diverse natives from growing. The wintercreeper was introduced to Dunn's Woods recently, following the planting of landscape architects wanted here. The most likely story on what happened is that someone planted the wintercreeper, because it is considered a historic, visually appealing plant- not realizing the growth rate. Following the planting of this, there have been many attempts to remove it. One method is pulling the roots up of the plant and disposing of them. If left near the ground, this plant can continue to grow. Another method used is chemicals, the exact chemicals used according to MC-IRIS (Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species) include 5% solution of triclopyr (Garlon 3a) / 95% water and we used a 20% triclopyr (Garlon 4) / 80% carrier oil for a basal bark treatment on the woody invasive stems (2012). There are other effort types in various areas, but these are the primary efforts with any results in Dunn's Woods.

Originating in China, wintercreeper is a dominant plant species that is found in many places, one being Dunn's Woods at Indiana University. Wintercreeper is a vine that climbs across the forest and sidewalk floor, and up trees and buildings. This species overtaking characteristics are what make it an invasive species- because they prevent growth of native species. This plant was brought to America because of its rapid growing vines being able to help hold landscape together, even in extreme circumstances. Many attempts have been made in Dunn's Woods to stop the spread of this plant, but it has proved itself very persistent. 

Wintercreeper in Dunn's Woods

The impact invasive species have on the environment is vast and detrimental. For example, one of the many ways these species affect Dunn's Woods is that they "can influence below ground community structure" such as altering soil compositions to make it incompatible for native species (Swedo, Glinka, Rollo, and Reynolds 2008, 7). This is a terrible consequence since not only will the soil eradicate the native species due to changes in its composition, but it will ruin the biodiversity in Dunn's Woods since barely any other plant besides the purple wintercreeper can grow in the newly altered conditions. Moreover, the winter creeper continuously grows at a rapid rate because it "participates in positive plant-soil feedback with co-occurring native Asarum canadense" (Smith and Reynolds 2012, 859). This means that the soil the native species is growing on is perfect for the invasive species that they do not need time to evolve and adapt to the new soil grounds they're invading. With these facts in mind, it is essential to understand how to remove thee invasive species and which methods to use. Although there are a multitude of invasive species in Dunn's Woods that need to be removed, the most prevailing invasive species is the Euonymus fortunei, or the purple wintercreeper. This type of plant can be removed through "hard-pulling" the plants in small areas and utilizing "herbicide applications" in larger areas (Bauer). If this is done properly while ensuring other native species are not affected, it is possible for Dunn's Woods to return to normal and eliminate the prevalence of the winter creeper in the area. By utilizing these methods to remove these invasive species and by understanding the information on how the wintercreeper can spread so easily, we can ensure that the "displacement of native species and altered community composition and diversity" in an environment will not occur (Swedo, Glinka, Rollo, and Reynolds 2008, 7). Through both knowledge and action, invasive species like the purple wintercreeper will slowly fade away from the terrain of Dunn's Woods and biodiversity will be enhanced in the location as the dominance of wintercreepers fade away.

The invasive species of Dunn's Woods include the Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana), the Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) plants, the purple wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei). This topic of invasive species in the Woods is one of the most important topics to discuss since these types of species have the potential to ruin an environment and the biodiversity within the area. Without knowledge about these species, no one will know what plants should be removed and which ones should be preserved in that environment. Hence, through the removal of these invasive species, we can save an environment by protecting the variety of plants and animals there, and by preserving what makes the place unique.

Removing the Invasive Species of Dunn's Woods

Milt and Judi Stewart, the people whom this area is dedicated to, are two benefactors that have been active in the advancement of <a href="https://www.indiana.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indiana University (IU)</a> since 1998. Milt graduated from Indiana University's <a href="https://www.law.indiana.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maurer School of Law</a> with a B.A. in 1968 and a J.D. in 1971. He went on to work for a very successful business law firm based out of Seattle, WA named Davis Wright Tremaine. The couple has given over $7 million in donations to IU and since 2010 has funded a global law internship program titled <a href="https://www.law.indiana.edu/academics/jd-degree/global-experiences/stewart-fellows.shtml#about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Stewart Fellows Overseas Externship Program</a>, which gives law students internship opportunities in foreign markets such as Brazil, China, Mexico, Japan, and many more. Since 2010, the program has helped over 200 students find internships across the globe. Judi Stewart, who did not attend Indiana University, is an artist and current member of the IU Art Museum's advisory board, a position she has held since 2000. She also actively supports the Colloquium for Women of Indiana University. In 2016, a section of Indiana University's <a href="https://www.bloomingpedia.org/wiki/Dunn%27s_Woods" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dunn's Woods</a> was designated "Stewart's Hideaway" to commemorate the Stewart's for their gracious actions. The hideaway has 4 benches for students and Bloomington residents to sit on and take in the surrounding forest and plant life that resides in it. It is a perfect place to sit down and enjoy a book or eat lunch with peers. Behind the benches are large logs that outline the hideaway's oval shape. In the hideaway's announcement <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mx0HRwe1ns" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">video</a> put out by <a href="https://iufoundation.iu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Indiana University Foundation</a>, Milt states that out of all the things he and his wife have done for IU, Stewart's Hideaway was "the least expensive, and the most important." In that same video, Milt talks about how prior philanthropy at Indiana University helped him succeed as a poor college student. The relationships and networks he was able to make while attending Indiana have allowed him to give back and let students have a space to possibly make those same relationships with their peers and superiors.

Stewart's Hideaway is a bench seating area in the middle of Indiana University's Dunn's Woods. The area is dedicated Milt and Judi Stewart,  two IU benefactors. Milt Stewart graduated from Indiana University in 1971 with a J.D. Established in 2016 after the Stewart family donated $7.7 million to IU's Maurer School of Law. The site is marked with an engraved stone that reads "May this special place always provide opportunity for respite, reflection, and rejuvenation." 

Stewart's Hideaway

“A modest forest stands at the green heart of Indiana University’s 2000-acre campus. Purchased in 1883 from the Dunn family, Dunn’s Woods was originally part of the Dunn family farm”, believed to be “a hog and cattle pasture”. David Starr Jordan, who served on the biology faculty before his selection as IU president in 1885, remarked to President Lemuel Moss as the Dunn’s Woods property” asked for the “great maples” that were being planted in the woods to “let none be cut down, except when their removal is absolutely necessary. So began an unbroken tradition of respect and reverence for the trees and the landscape of Dunn's Woods that has continued to the present” (Bloomington Urban Woodlands Project, 2020). “It’s trees are protected under the 19th-century university bylaws, and can only be cut if they fall over a path due to a storm damage or natural death” (Robenson and Mincey, 2018).The Woods’ “peaceful ambience” makes it the perfect place for faculty and students “seeking tranquility and introspection” (Robenson and Mincey, 2018). Of course, the woods are not only for humans; the woods, as an urban woodlands, “supply habitat for resident and migratory birds and many other animals, provide aesthetic enjoyment, biological carbon sinks, air and water purification, and numerous other ecological services.” However, “urban woodlands tend to be small, fragmented, and close to conventionally landscaped yards, making them especially vulnerable to degradation from exotic invasive plants” (Bloomington Urban Woodlands Project, 2020).	Many people add plants to their yards or landscape for aesthetic purposes, yet nearly “85% of woody invasive species come from the landscaping trade” causing this practice to unintentionally harm these natural environments. “The urban woodlands in Bloomington, Indiana are heavily invaded by invasive plants, with correspondingly low biodiversity of native plant species and reduced habitat diversity for the native insects, birds, and other species that have coevolved with native plant species.” (Bloomington Urban Woodlands Project, 2020)To combat this problem, the Bloomington Urban Woodlands Restoration committee was formed. “An important part of the Bloomington Urban Woodlands Restoration work is the removal of exotic invasive plants and the planting of native species. Reintegrating native woodland species will help to promote the biological diversity, ecosystem services, and aesthetic beauty of the woods.” (Bloomington Urban Woodlands Project, 2020)	A large problem, possibly the most daunting at the moment, is the purple wintercreeper. “Purple wintercreeper is invading many yards and forests in much of the eastern United States.  This invasive vine forms a dense ground cover, swamping out native plant life.  This also harms native wildlife including many species of birds and insects, which rely on native plants for food and other resources” (Purple Wintercreeper). One “area of study [of the Bloomington Urban Woodlands Project] include methods of purple wintercreeper control and native species restoration” to reduce this threat (Bloomington Urban Woodlands Project, 2020).

Dunn’s Woods is a perfect picture of southern Indiana Woodland. It has remained a managed ecosystem even as Indiana University (IU) continues to expand around it. “Dunn’s Woods was the heart of the original campus, the university’s commitment to preserving a woodland character with abundant green space has been at the heart of its ongoing expansion (Mincey and Fischer, 2009). David Mottier, head of the Botany Department at IU from 1898 to 1937, is credited with developing the “plan for the walks and drives” across the campus. In 1929 the Olmsted Brother of Brookline, New York were hired to design a plan for the campus “the designers of New York City’s Central Park strongly advocated for retention of Dunn’s Woods as a park” (Mincey and Fischer, 2009)

Dunn's Woods and the Invasive Species Within

Since the beginning of mankind, humans have felt the need to leave an everlasting mark, whether it be painting on a cave wall, or carving initials on a tree. The use of carving on trees is actually a very important tool for historians in looking into the past. As Andersson (2005) states, "Culturally modified trees (CMTs) provide unique insights into traditional knowledge and uses of the forest ecosystems." Looking into the trees for history seems unlikely but it is so important. Although the carving in the trees in Dunn's Woods are not exactly ancient they still provide a look into what campus life was like at the time that the carvings were made. Andersson also states, "(CMTs) are important artifacts, providing unique insights into traditional knowledge, perceptions and uses of the forest ecosystems." Looking into the past use of trees could very well help historians see what they need to make the most accurate theory that they could possibly make. Carvings in the trees help us now, but they also have the potential to allow future students to see what exactly what campus life is like today. Dunn's Woods not only holds historical importance but also physical importance. White (2013) states, "Exposure to natural environments can help restore depleted emotional and cognitive resources." Allowing students the opportunity to have access to nature is an extremely important aspect of Dunn's Woods. Students are constantly facing issues to their emotional health and having a way to restore it can make all the difference in the world. White also states, "natural environments among large samples is limited." The fact that natural settings are becoming even more rare by the second shows that Dunn's Woods is becoming more of an important place, including the tree carvings that provide some insight as to what life was like in the past. Whether or not Mosses Fell Dunn knew that the land he would sell to Indiana University would become such an important historical and natural land mark does not matter, because nothing can change the importance that these woods hold.

According to Mincey and Fischer (2009) Dunn's Woods was sold to the Indiana University in 1883 for $6,000 by Moses Fell Dunn. The woods have changed a fair bit since the original purchase in 1883, but the university provides little intervention in the woods. However, this does not stop students from carving different initials and symbols into the trees in the woods themselves. 

Tree Carvings in Dunn's Woods at Indiana University

The Well House quickly became the most romantic location on campus, perhaps because it was located about halfway between the male and female dormitories. Kissing at midnight soon became a rite of passage. Reflecting the gendered history of early college campuses where female students represented thirty to forty percent of the student body prior to the mid-20th century, a dated tradition asserted that a female student is not "a true co-ed" until she had been kissed by her sweetheart beneath the dome of the Well House when the clock hits midnight. This tradition once held a bit more risk, as the women's dormitory had a curfew an hour prior to midnight. Today, female students represent a majority of the student population and also lead their male counterparts in GPA and graduation rates.&nbsp;

The Well House is one of the oldest and most beloved structures on the IU campus. It  was built in 1908 and covers the original well that served the college and community. In fact, water from this well saved old Wylie Hall from destruction during a fire in 1900. The structure was a gift from Theodore F. Rose in 1908. 

Well House, University of Indiana  

Cyrus M. Dodd graduated from Williams College in 1855 and went on to teach Latin at Washington and Jefferson College. In 1866 he went to IU to fill an empty math position. The following year the math teacher returned and Dodd was given a position at IU teaching Latin. The idea for the sundial was conceived by Cyrus M. Dodd in 1866-1868. There is no record of when he came up with the idea so the dates provided are the years that he was employed at IU. His employment at IU was cut very short when he got an offer at his alma mater to teach. The same year that Dodd left his students payed the majority of the money that was needed to construct the sundial. Nelle V. Neill Jackson stated that it was her grandfather and his partner (Greenberry Cruse and Mr. Bierly) that " built and sunk [the] sundial.". On the old campus it was located in the center of the main walk way leading to the college entrance. A fun little story about the sundial was one that involves Rev. Dr. Cyrus Nutt the IU president from 1860-1875. It's said that one evening while the sky was starting to turn to twilight, he struck a match at the sundial to see what time it is.In 1883 a fire swept over the old IU campus. The fire was found out to be caused by lighting striking the telephone wire that led to Theophilus Wylie’s room. Fun fact about Theo, he occupied the Wylie House from 1859 - 1913, which was the home of the first IU president Andrew Wylie his half-cousin. On Thursday July 12th 1883 a little after 10 o’clock, the new college building was found to be on fire and the alarm was given. The Fire Dept. of the town with its new steam fire engine, and its smaller engine, did its best to extinguish the flames. In this attempt it failed but succeeded in saving the old building by keeping the roof and end adjacent to the burning structure soaked with water. Within two hours from the discovery of the fire, the entire roof had fallen in and only the walls with a few clinging timbers remained. The building thus destroyed was three stories in height and was built in 1873 at a cost of $33,000. It contained the Library of 14000 volumes, the Museum in which was the Owen Cabinet of 85000 specimens carefully labeled and displayed in suitable cases, The Ward caste of Extinct Animals, Prof. Jordan’s collection of fishes, and many other valuable collections. The fire wasn't all bad though, IU wanted more space for their growing student base and so they could have more buildings. The old campus was also located next to a railway and that's a noisy distraction that IU was glad to get away from. They more specifically moved to Dunn's woods.Dunn's Woods was this twenty acre beech and maple forest, with the Jordan River snaking throughout. They decided to develop ten acres of it, so nowadays there are only ten acres of woodlands. Although the land was beautiful it was not the best for building, with its many sinkholes, ravines, and occasionally flooding banks. They wanted to keep the forest full of natives even back in 1896 they said "Native trees should be preferred to foreign trees, both because they are better adapted to the climate and soil, and also because they look more appropriate." Regardless of the actions of the people to keep the forest full of native plants, today it is full of invasive species some of them include winter creeper, Japanese stilt grass, and Tree of Heaven. Today they are working to keep the vision of the campus founders to have a "university in a park".With all that background info that takes us now to the story of Otto and Mathilda, two IU students whose story is directly linked to the sundial. During their attendance at IU (the year the met wasn't specified anywhere I found) Mathilda Zwicker and Otto Paul Klopsch met at the sundial. This was the start of their budding relationship. Even though they didn't stay in Indiana they did tell their kids stories from their school days including their meeting at the sundial. They were married for 37 years at the time of Mathilda's passing in 1933, her husband followed in 1935. After they had both passed away their son Otto Klopsch, Jr. met with the president at the time William Lowe Bryan and asked him if he could spread his parents ashes at the base of the sundial. This request was happily granted. There is now a plaque that reads "They met at this sundial when classmates. Their ashes rest here together until eternity." I thought this is one of the most wholesome stories I have explored.

Visitors to Indiana University have been delighted by the history behind this little sundial as it incorporates the story of love and resilience. In 1868 the graduating class presented IU with the Sundial. Then in 1833, a fire destroyed the campus causing them to move it up on the hill. It wasn't until 1896 that they moved the sundial to the location it currently resides.

The Sundial at IU and Important Points: Lovers Even Into Death 

A three-sided corner gravestone marks the graves of the three sisters who moved to Bloomington after serving as aides in the Revolutionary war. Ellenor Dunn, the oldest of the three, and her husband bought 160 acres of farm land and built a home where Indiana University Bloomington’s School of Public Health is located today. Ellenor’s husband Samuel gave the family estate to his eldest son, George Gundy Dunn, who established the boundaries of family cemetery. George’s son, Moses Dunn, sold 30 acres of his family’s land to the university trustees after a fire in 1883 destroyed the main campus building. Indiana University continued to build and grow around the Dunn cemetery, which is forever deeded to the Dunn family.There is beauty here, but I am suddenly oppressed. The wind blows colder and the sun does not shine so bright within these confines. I believe I shall retrace my steps through the iron gate in the wall, back to the evanescent world outside… (Richard Bruick in The Folio, 1940)

Dunn Cemetery is located directly to the east of the Indiana University Memorial Union next to Beck Chapel. Three heroines of the Revolutionary War are buried here: Ellenor Brewster Dunn, Agnes “Nancy” Brewster Alexander, and Janet Brewster Irvin. The women spun, wove, and created garments for the soldiers and cooked food for Washington and his army when they were stationed nearby. After the war, the three sisters eventually moved to Bloomington, Indiana. The plot of land it is located on was once known as the Dunn Farm.  In 1883 a fire destroyed much of Indiana University at its former location (which is now Seminary Square) and Moses F. Dunn sold a part of the Dunn Farm for the new site of Indiana University. However, he did not sell the graveyard. This plot of land, also known as "God's Acre" is still owned by the Dunn family. 

Dunn's Woods

Kirkwood Observatory

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information