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News from Garfield Farm |
CAMPTON HILLS IL: Garfield Farm has some great programming this year,
including several new additions and a number of returning favorites. As
always, the museum strives with its programming to illustrate how
challenging daily life was for Illinois‚ pioneers. In an era of
convenience and accessibility, museum visitors can garner an
understanding and appreciation for the comfort we have, here in the
21st century.
The museum will hold its Natural Area
Management Seminar on February 20th. This will be followed by new
lectures on antique trade signs and homespun ceramics on February 21st
and 28th, respectively. On March 7th, visitors can learn about antique
apple grafting during an afternoon seminar. The Chicago Suburban
Antiques Dealers Association (CSADA) will have its 53rd annual Fox
Valley Antique Show at the Kane Co. Fair Grounds on March 13th and
14th. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Museum. On March 21st,
visitors with an interest in period music can attend a workshop on
Dulcimers, a very unique type of stringed instrument.
The month of May will see a woodland wild
flower walk on the 2nd and the museum‚s annual Rare Breed Show on
the 23rd. The show stresses the importance of genetic diversity,
through animals exhibited by breeders from the American Livestock
Breeds Conservancy.
The summer offers several great opportunities
to visit the farm. Enjoy a lovely afternoon during 1840s Days on June
12th & 13th. Now in its second year, this event will offer tavern
tours, period demonstrations, and a craft show. Visitors can help
support the farm with a night of dinner and dancing at the Contra Dance
& Dinner Fundraiser on June 26th. In July, the museum will hold two
farm camps, offering children a chance to experience farm life in the
19th century. During mid June and again in late September, two 2 week
archaeological excavations are planned Volunteers may break sod,
carefully shovel, screen, and wash artifacts. Reservations are required.
August will be a busy month. The Antique Tool
Show on August 1st features thousands of tools for sale by members of
both the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association and the Early American
Industries Association. The Heirloom Garden Show on August 29th gives
the garden enthusiast the occasion to purchase produce and seeds from
local gardeners and members of the Seed Saver Exchange.
In September, there will be lectures on
historic barns and the history of corn. Harvest Days on October 3rd
will be celebrating 30 years this season. The always-popular event
demonstrates activities that took place during the fall season on an
1840s farm. In December, the Candlelight Reception will show how the
Garfield‚s tavern appeared to the weary traveler during a winter
evening. It will be combined with the Homespun Holiday Market featuring
crafts from local artisans.
The museum offers guided tours year round by
appointment or on Wednesday and Sundays, June through September from 1
- 4 pm. Tours include the 1846 inn, the historic barns and livestock
and gardens upon request.
To obtain a calendar of events, contact the
museum at (630) 584-8485 or info@garfieldfarm.org. The calendar is also
posted on the website at www.garfieldfarm.org. Garfield Farm is a
370-acre historically intact former 1840s Illinois prairie farmstead
and teamster inn that is being restored by donors and volunteers from
37 states as an 1840s working farm museum. Garfield Farm is 5 miles
west of Geneva, IL off Ill Rt. 38 on Garfield Road.