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CAMPTON HILLS, IL: Coming up during the second weekend in March (8th and 9th), the 57th annual Fox Valley Antiques Show to benefit Garfield Farm Museum will be held at the Kane County Fair Grounds at 525 South Randall Road, St. Charles, Illinois. Hours on Saturday are from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. There is an $8 admission to see over 57 dealers from 14 states. The dealers that are exhibiting are selectively chosen for this show by Chicago Suburban Antique Dealers Association (CSADA). The Inglenook Pantry, out of Geneva, will be offering their catering specialties for lunch or dessert.
     The CSADA has been in existence since 1957 and has been holding this show for 56 years. They are a non-for-profit organization striving to preserve the past and educate. A component of CSADA’s mission is to hold shows to bring people together to discuss and learn about antiques. The theme for this year is “Great Legs.” Dealers will be displaying pieces from several centuries, going from the 18th to the early part of the 20th century.
     The proceeds from the show will benefit Garfield Farm Museum in Campton Hills. The museum is a non for profit, privately funded project that has been in existence since 1977. The farm is interpreted to the 1840s when Timothy Garfield purchased the property from Samuel Culbertson, who first settled it in July of 1835. Each admission includes a booklet containing a map of the show, a brief story of how the Culbertson family arrived to stake a claim in 1835 and an abridged biography of Timothy P. Garfield. A special display on the museum will be in the atrium of the fairground’s building.
     There is a natural relationship in the realm of antiques and museums. Having an interest in one area often leads to an interest in the other. By visiting museums, visitors will be able to see artifacts and antiques in context to the time period whereas what is available at the Antique Show can be brought home. Because the CSADA is a juried show requiring proof of all items originality, it is a great learning experience just attending the show.
     In 1957, an unexpected chain reaction of events began when an expanding interest in antiques in the Fox Valley would lead to the first Fox Valley Antique Show. In 1967, Iva Stork, late of Pennsylvania, home of the antique enthusiasts’ society Questers, International, founded the first local Questers chapter, Thornapple, in St. Charles, IL. This pioneering group supported the historic preservation of the Bryant Durant House leading to the founding of Restorations of Kane County, (RKC), renamed Preservation Partners, that founded the Fox Valley Fall Antique Show in 1974.
      In 1977, members of Thornapple and RKC founded two groups, Garfield Heritage Society and Campton Historic Agricultural Lands, (CHAL), to establish Garfield Farm Museum and preserve history, farming and the environment.

    For information contact info@garfieldfarm.org or call 630 584-8485.

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