Tag: living history farm

Primrose Farm event — FREE!

Historic Plaque

Our homeschool group enjoyed a field trip at this farm last year and I appreciated that it was different than other living history farms. It seems the common era for farms around Chicagoland falls somewhere around the 1840s. Primrose settles in around the 1930s and has a whole different feel to it. This would be a great multi-generational event as some in the earlier generation might even remember some of the artifacts and such around the farm and enjoy sharing some of their own personal history.

Received this info via email:

FREE to the public!
Saturday, March 23rd AND Sunday, March 24th!
9:00AM – 4:00PM each day

As winter winds down, farms begin to bustle with activity. Planting
begins and spring cleaning starts even before buds blossom! Primrose
Farm is a 1930s living history farm.

Participating in the following activities:
–planting potatoes or other vegetables in the garden
–broadcast oats in the field
–spring cleaning in the kitchen
–white washing in the barn
–wood-fired oven cooking demonstration

Where: Primrose Farm,  5N726 Crane Road, Saint Charles, IL

Check out their website: http://www.primrosefarmpark.com/

Wanted: Archeologists, no experience necessary

Their blurb:

A new year of archaeological excavation begins at Garfield Farm Museum. Directed by Jim Yingst, volunteers are encouraged to sign up to help dig, screen, and wash artifacts. Check the website for dates. No experience necessary, we will train you. Financial contributions are also welcomed.

My 10 year old is chomping at the bit about this one. I hope we can find time to get out and get our hands dirty in a real life archeological dig. Older teens can be dropped off (or drive themselves), but other kids are welcome with an adult if they will be a help and not distraction to the work. You do need to register in advance.

I just called for some more information, and they want each volunteer to commit to at least 8 hours of work to compensate for the initial training and learning curve. These do not all need to be at one time, but need to be done during dig hours of 8-5 Wednesday through Sunday. The dates for the dig are September 21-25, and September 28-October 2.

Looking at the video it says they are trying to track down the original cabin built on the site that was later replaced by the current home structure.

When: September 21-25 and September 28- October 2, 8am- 5pm — contact them for specifics on times and to arrange a time for your family/group to participate

Where: Garfield Farm Museum –on Garfield Road just north of Illinois Route 38 between Geneva and Elburn, Illinois. It is about 3 miles west of Randall Road, which is at the west edge of Geneva and St. Charles. From Illinois Route 38 turn north on Garfield Road and go about 1/4 mile to the Garfield Farm and Inn.

Putting this address into your GPS should get you there: 3N016 Garfield Road Campton Hills, IL 60175

More Information: 630 584-8485 or info@garfieldfarm.org

In preparation for the dig I would recommend a book (or internet search) on the topic to help the kids know what they are getting into. A book that we enjoyed a few years back and will probably reread again now is Archaeologists Dig for Clues. Written for early elementary kids this book will give a look into archeological terminology and methods.