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May 9 34th Garfield Farm Museum Awards to Thomas Bihun, Campton Township Open Space Foundation, & The LaFox Civic Association
CAMPTON HILLS, IL: On Friday, May 9, at 8 pm following dinner, Garfield Farm Museum (GFM) will recognize three preservation endeavors at the 34th Garfield Farm Museum Awards Ceremony at the historic Dunham Woods Riding Club in Wayne, IL.
The 2025 award winners reflect the critical role of public, private and non-profit partnerships. They are Thomas Bihun, Campton Township Open Space Foundation, & The LaFox Civic Association
An Historic Preservation Award will go to Thomas Bihun for his initiative to help restore the George F. Norton family mausoleum that has been a prominent landmark in Campton Township. Located along what in 1928 became Illinois Route 64, the site was first used upon the1912 death of George F. Norton, son of 1848 Campton farmer Garrett Norton. It was last used in 1967, with the burial of 3 times great granddaughter of George Norton. Contacting the descendants of the Norton family, Bihun organized a volunteer group to give the mausoleum a fresh coat of paint, a resealed roof, and cleared the grounds. Many of past Garfield Farm Musuem awardees have been just such grassroot efforts that in this case helped preserve a historic feature of the community.
Campton Township Open Space Foundation has been a volunteer non-profit effort to raise funds to help support Campton Township's Open Space properties since 2017. The many resources that come with the preservation of Campton's open space offers present and future opportunities for Campton's residents and neighbors to benefit from educational, recreational, historical and aesthetical aspects of the properties. The foundation has also been an advocate for all types of open space and has most recently supported the successful 2025 $17 million bond referendum for Campton Township's program. Their work appropriately deserves a Garfield Farm Museum Environmental Preservation Award.
After 146 years of being the first country rail depot in the Campton Blackberry townships area, in 2000 a threat of a major development of this historic district community arrived on its doorstep. In response, The LaFox Civic Association was formed to provide local residents a say and plan of action to deal with this overwhelming proposal. Their efforts and the nature of the economy and real estate industry spared this community from three subsequent proposals that surged from 2000 homes to over 3000 residencies as recently as 2024. Each time the Association came up with alternatives to lessen such impact. This has helped to preserve both the environment and the historic setting of LaFox with the knowledge planned and careful development will be the only viable solution if any development is to occur. An Environmental and Historic Preservation is being given to the Association.
The Garfield Farm Museum Awards were established in 1989 to recognize other entities that share at least one of the three inseparable themes of the museum: history, farming and nature. Making people aware of others’ efforts encourages more people to participate in preserving this country’s strengths in their own backyard. Getting the word out about these accomplished organizations’ and individuals’ efforts has become even more challenging with the fragmentation of the media.
The museum’s awards are held at the former Oak Lawn Farm, one of the world’s largest draft horse breeding facilities in the world in the late 1800s. It survives in part as the Dunham Woods Riding Club that consists of 40 acres, several historic barns, and the late 1830s Solomon Dunham farmhouse converted to a clubhouse. The late Miss Jane Dunham was a very generous supporter of Garfield Farm. The historic Dunham farm setting is the perfect venue for the museum’s awards evening. Following a 6 pm reception and 6:45 pm buffet dinner, the 8 pm Awards Ceremony will start with recognition of The 1840s Society Class of 2024 donors. Following the Awards, a review of the progress towards the 2027 50thAnniversary $4 million Bucket List goal to complete museum facilities will be given.
For museum members dinner is $65 a person, guests $70 and to help sponsor the evening a donation of $100 or more will include listing in the evening’s program. To receive an invitation by mail or e-mail please respond to info@garfieldfarm.org or call 630 584-8485. |