Free Family Event Will Showcase Fall on the Farmstead
Join a corn harvest on an 1890s living-history farm at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s “Corn Harvest” Oct. 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago.
After a quick trip to “corn college,” visitors can hit the fields and pick some of the corn that will feed the farm’s cows and sheep in the winter. They can help “shuck” — peel the husks from the ears — and “shock” — bundle full stalks to dry — and store the harvest in the corn crib when the horse-drawn wagon in the field is full.
At the farmhouse, visitors can make corn-husk figures and tour the 19th-century home. They can also visit the barn, chicken coop, sheep fold and other buildings on this 200-acre farmstead. Volunteer beekeepers will be on hand to answer questions in the honey house, and on Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., the blacksmith will demonstrate the tools and techniques of the trade in the wagon shed. The Timber Ridge Visitor Center will be open both days so visitors can view exhibits and shop for gifts, such as toys, games, books and clothing.
“‘Corn Harvest’ allows thousands of visitors to experience harvesting a corn crop by hand with historic horse-drawn equipment,” said Dennis Buck, heritage interpreter at Kline Creek Farm. “These experiences would have been commonplace 125 years ago but have been nostalgic memories since the 1950s.”
Registration is not required for this free program, and activities are ongoing. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes for walking in the fields and may want to bring work gloves for handling the corn and stalks.
For more information on “Corn Harvest” and other 1890s activities, call the farm at 630-876-5900.
“Experience life on an 1890s farm and help gather food for our farm animals to get through the winter at this popular event that’s fun for the whole family,” said Forest Preserve District Commissioner Al Murphy, District 6.
“‘Corn Harvest’ is a great way to introduce younger generations to harvest time on a farm,” said Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President Joe Cantore.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for 100 years. More than 4 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube pages.