Ravinia 2026 Issue 6

Who Were The Hunters? Meet thePeopleBehind thePavilion’sNewName BY NOW YOU MAY HAVE HEARD about Ravinia’s transformation over these past two winters, renovating the beloved pavilion from back to front thanks in part to a generous lead- ership gift fromThe Hunter Family Foundation. Though conversations about the foundation’s donation began just a few years ago, the Hunter family—begin- ning with Maxine and Thomas III, for whom the pavilion is now named—has multi-generational roots at Ravinia. “Mom enjoyed bringing her moth- er to Ravinia, and then bringing her two sons and, a few times, her grand- children,” son Tom Hunter shares. “Four generations were gathered with mom, and now a fifth generation of great-grandchildren is attending con- certs. Ravinia is part of summertime in the Hunter family.” Thomas and Maxine grew up togeth- er, initially meeting in grade school. It was there, as Tom recalls, “where Dad made his first proposal to Mom.” BY KATE HOGAN BERGER RAVINIAMAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 7 – SEPTEMBER 23 , 2026 18 DAVEBURK/RAVINIA