The Adlai Stevenson II Farm in Mettawa, Ill., is among four newly designated national landmarks. Stevenson, a prominent 20th-century stateman who played a major role in the Cold War, considered the farm his home most of his adult life. At left is the house, with Stevenson's study at far left, with the service building at right. (Robie S. Lange/National Park Service)

The Illinois farm owned by Adlai Stevenson, the late Democratic governor of Illinois, presidential candidate and ambassador to the United Nations during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, received landmark status from the Interior Department’s National Park Service on Thursday.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis made the announcement as part of National Park Week, an annual event honoring the natural beauty and cultural heritage contained in America’s national parks.

The farm, located in southeast Lake County in Mettawa and part of the Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve, was Stevenson’s home for most of his adult life and is closely associated with many of his important activities.

“The national historic landmark designation is formal recognition that the Adlai Stevenson farm represents an outstanding aspect of American history and culture,” said April Slayton, the National Park Service chief spokeswoman who was press secretary for the House Agriculture Committee when Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., chaired the committee.

“Along with the prestige of being recognized as one of only approximately 2,500 national historic landmarks in the nation, designation also brings the opportunity for grants and access to historic preservation assistance from the National Park Service,” Slayton added.

The farm will continue to be owned and operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves to which it was donated in 1974.

Stevenson and his wife bought the 70-acre farm in 1935 and in 1938 built a house in the art deco style, according to the farm's website.

The most important room in the house is the study. When he was at home, Stevenson spent the majority of his time at his desk in this room, writing speeches and books, and meeting with dignitaries such as Eleanor Roosevelt, a close friend and frequent guest at the home, and Kennedy, the website said.