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News from Garfield Farm |
CAMPTON HILLS -- Take time away from that chaotic rush of the holiday
season and travel down the country road to Garfield Farm Museum on
December 3rd & 4th for its annual Candlelight Reception from 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.
For over 30 years, Candlelight is one of the most
popular events at this 1840s farm and tavern museum. It evokes a pace
and peace that is so foreign to life today. It requires a conscious
effort on the part of the modern day visitor to linger and savor the
experience, to strike up a conversation with others, and enjoy what was
once a great luxury: a brightly lit home full of travelers and
neighbors, making for a most jovial atmosphere on a winter's night.
Dulcimer music by the Scantlin Reunion and Friends will be played in
the ballroom and refreshments will be offered in the inn’s dining
room.
The Garfield's home sat on the junction of the St.
Charles-Oregon and Sycamore Roads that was heavily traveled. Utilizing
this, they used their house as an inn to accommodate their 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 busy
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,
sleep and most importantly talk to others. News traveled slowly and
travelers provided news from far and near, as well as telling
entertaining stories. Inns became a center for the community hosting
dances, militia drills, weddings, “donation” parties for
local clergy, political meetings, and other functions.
Following a visit to the 1846 inn, walk up the
glowing lantern path to the Burr House and enjoy even more, as the
museum will feature a hearthside cooking demonstration. Learn how the
early settlers used to cook their food on a hearth and bake their bread
in a brick oven. There will also be a bake sale with items made by the
museum's own volunteers.
The Candlelight tour 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 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 Illinois prairie 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.