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News from Garfield Farm |
There is nothing more festive for a winter's evening
then the aroma of hot spiced tea, the taste of fresh baked tea breads,
and lively fiddle and dulcimer tunes at Garfield Farm Museum on
December 1st & 2nd during its annual Candlelight Reception
from 3-7 pm. Interpreters wearing period clothing will tell guests of
what life was like for people during the height of the horse and wagon
era. There is no charge for Candlelight, but donations are most
appreciated.
The Garfield's home sat on the junction of the
heavily traveled St. Charles-Oregon & Sycamore Roads. The Garfields
used their brick house as a tavern as inns were known, to accommodate
guests. At this time most people traveled by horse and wagon. It was a
slow process that could take weeks, as a heavily loaded team of horses
with good weather could only travel about 15 miles a day. Inns were
places that offered weary travelers an occasion to take a break from
the monotony of their journey. A guest of the Garfield's could eat,
drink, sleep and most importantly talk to others. News traveled slowly
and travelers brought far away news, as well as entertaining stories.
Inns became a center for the community hosting dances, weddings,
fundraisers, and other local functions.
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 third year, the
Homespun Market, features local artisans bringing in their goods for
the public to purchase. The Market features a variety of crafts, such
as knitted ware, pottery, household items, and many others. Held in the
museum's Burr House, the Market runs from 12 to 7 pm for both days of
Candlelight. A percentage of the profits 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 is the museum's oldest special event. It
offers 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 intact former 1840s Illinois 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.