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News from Garfield Farm |
Rediscover the heart of America’s values at
Garfield Farm Museum on December 6th & 7th for its annual
Candlelight Reception at 3-7 pm. Interpreters wearing period clothing
will share with guests what life was like for people during the height
of the horse and wagon era. There is no charge for the Candlelight
event, but donations are most welcome to help preserve this story of
America’s heritage.
The Garfield’s home sat on the junction of the
Chicago- St. Charles-Oregon Roads that were well traveled in the 1840s.
The Garfields opened their log house as an inn to aid and comfort weary
travelers. A successful business and farming led to the construction of
the surviving 1846 brick tavern that was welcome relief when frozen
bone jarring dirt roads and unheated wagons were the common experience.
Yet out of these challenges, the spirit of 1840s Americans was
indomitable. On the open road, Americans shared what they had with a
sense of egalitarian pride that totally befuddled the European class
system. In America, European travelers disdained sitting at a common
dining table much less sharing bed space with fellow travelers as was
the American “on the road” custom. These sons and daughters
of the American Revolution took pride in making do as they created a
nation we all have such hopes for today. Embracing the common
challenges of survival gave Americans the resiliency to weather change
and uncertainty.
Americans of the 1840s were obliged to
trust each other as only word of mouth could confirm what one heard
from another. There was no internet, TV, radio, telephones or timely
newspapers to rapidly double check the truth of information shared.
Although cash was the rule at these taverns, much of America’s
farming economy depending on trust. As sales of ripe crops occurred in
the fall, farmers depended on local merchants to accept i.o.u.s or
personal notes with a promise to pay in the fall for items needed in
spring and summer. An individual?s name and reputation were critical to
be able to sign such an obligation making one’s signature
“as good as gold”.
Walking through the softly lit rooms of
the Garfield Inn with its simple furnishings and lack of modern
necessities, will remind every visitor that the most important values,
honesty, patience, hard work, and sharing of struggles and spirit with
family and friends, have greater value than all the latest consumer
goods. Traditional music by the Scantlin’
Reunion on mountain and hammer dulcimers will be played in the second
floor ballroom as spiced tea and tea breads are served in the dining
room.
Following a visit to the 1846 inn, walk up the
glowing lantern path to Burr house and enjoy even more, as the museum
will feature its Homespun Holiday Market. In its fourth year, the
Homespun Market, features local artisans bringing in their goods for
the public to purchase. Even this fundraiser reflects the tradition of
American creativity and entrepreneurial skills to gain economic
independence. The Market features a variety of crafts, such as knitted
ware, pottery, household items, and many others. Held in the
museum’s Atwell Burr House, the Market runs from 12 to 7 pm for
both days of the Candlelight Event. A percentage of the sales made by
the artisans are donated to the museum. A bake sale is also featured at
the Holiday Market, whose goods are entirely donated by museum
volunteers.
Candlelight at the Inn brings long time supporters
together as this is one of their favorite events. It gives new visitors
a chance to meet the volunteers and donors, who are the lifeblood of
the farm. The event is a time for those interested in becoming
involved, to meet those who already give so much to help sustain the
museum and keep it moving forward. The event also benefits the
museum’s ongoing efforts to restore the historic buildings and to
provide educational programming.
The 370-acre Garfield Farm Museum is the only historically intact
former 1840s farmstead and teamster inn being restored by donors and
volunteers from 2800 households in 37 states as an 1840s working farm
museum. Garfield Farm Museum is located 5 miles west of Geneva, IL off
ILL Rt.38 on Garfield Road. For information call (630) 584-8485 or
email info@garfieldfarm.org.