Folksinger
Tom Neilson Concert Benefits Garfield Farm Museum -- 160 Year Old
Favor Unknowingly Returned
Campton Hills, IL: On Monday night April 21 at 7:30 pm, folksinger Tom
Neilson will perform at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva at 102
South 2nd Street, Geneva, IL to benefit Garfield Farm Museum’s 1842
barn restoration.
As part of Earth Day observation by the UUSG
Social Justice and Green Sanctuary Committees, Tom Nielson will present an
evening or political satire and social commentary. He is a winner of the
Kerrville Folk Festival, the South Florida Folk Festival, IMA People’s
Choice Song of the Year, in addition to 21 awards and nominations. Singing
since the age of three, his music reflects a quick wit, creatively using
folk music to make a point. The evening will benefit
Garfield Farm Museum’s complete restoration of the museum’s 1842 hay and
grain barn. Built by Timothy Garfield and 50 neighbors between February and
June of 1842, it was the fourth barn of its size to be built in Campton
Township. Since 1977, volunteers and donors from over 3800 households have
contributed funds and labor to restore the farm as an 1840s working farm
museum.
Hearing of the museum’s efforts, the UUSG contacted
the museum with an offer of help. Little did committee members realize that
160 years ago in November of 1854, a “Donation Visit” was held in Campton
Township to support their first leader, the Reverend A. H. Conant.
In a recent gift to the museum, Jan Edwards of
California donated her ancestor Gardensia Burr’s copy of the handbill
inviting people to Thomas Cooley’s home for the benefit of Rev. Conant on
Thursday, November 30, 1854. On the handbill is a list of committee members
totaling 30 people supporting this fundraiser. Not only is “Mr. T.P.Garfield
and Lady” (Harriet) listed but so are two of Timothy’s sons and two of his
daughters, in addition to married and young single neighbors. Elderly people
were expected to attend in the afternoon and the young people in the
evening. Food was furnished by the ladies.
Although it is known that Harriet Garfield was a New
England Baptist in practice, it is quite possible the Garfields and their
Campton neighbors were supporting Rev. Conant for his strong support of
abolition, a radical position for the era. This is conjecture at this point
as further research is needed.
A donation of $15 will be collected at the door. Specifics
about the evening can be had by e-mailing wnscown@comcast.net. Information
about the museum can be had by calling 630 584-8485 or emailing
info@garfieldfarm.org. More information about Tom Neilson can be found on
http://tomneilsonmusic.com.
For more information about Garfield Farm send an e-mail message to: info@garfieldfarm.org
or call 630/584-8485.
