Lincoln Log Cabin Announces 2008 Special Events

Lincoln Log Cabin Announces 2008 Special Events

LERNA – Visitors can journey to the 1840s one event at a time at the 2008 series of special events announced today by Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. All of the events are free and open to the public.

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov), is the last home of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s father and stepmother. It is operated as a living history farm where visitors can experience the sights, sounds, smells and speech of 1845. The site is located about eight miles south of Charleston, Illinois.

19th Century Militia Muster May 2-3 In 1845 Illinois Governor Ford called out the local militia to deal with the supposed threat of the Mormons in western Illinois. Lincoln Log Cabin is recreating what one of these local country militia musters would have been like, complete with military drills with period muskets, period gaming, music, and much more. Come and learn about the citizen-soldier of nineteenth century Illinois. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Sheep-to-Clothing May 24 Follow the process of pre-industrialized woolen cloth manufacture from the initial stage of shearing the sheep to sewing garments from the finished cloth on Saturday, May 24. You will also have the opportunity to bring your antique coverlets to be identified free by our experts. A daylong natural dying workshop will be held on Sunday, May 25. For information on workshop cost and time please call (217) 345-1845. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Taste of Summer July 5 Join us for a taste of summer, see the gardens in bloom and learn about the types of vegetables available to the mid 19th century gardener. Heirloom vegetables are in many cases much different than those available today - compare the differences between these and their modern counterparts. Afterwards, join us for an old fashioned corn boil and sample the fresh sweet corn. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bluegrass Jam August 10 The annual Bluegrass Jam features musicians from Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. This informal musical gathering provides the perfect opportunity to bring a picnic lunch and sit in the shade listening to groups of musicians jam, or bring along your own instrument and join in. Food concessions will also be offered by the Volunteer Pioneers. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Barn Dance September 13 Join us for an afternoon of fun at an old fashioned barn dance. A band and dance caller will be on hand to instruct you the latest 19th century dance steps. Before each dance, the caller will lead you through the steps, and then join in with our interpreters and volunteers as they ‘kick up their heels’ in celebration of the harvest. 2 to 4 p.m.

Lincoln-Douglass Sesquicentennial September 20 Join Lincoln Log Cabin and the Coles County community as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Charleston debate between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln at the Coles County Fairgrounds. Traditional 19th century artisans will be showcased alongside modern local artists throughout the day. Meet the candidates in their campaign tents and discus with them the important senate race of 1858. At 2:00 p.m. the grand entrance of the candidates will occur with a stage presentation following. The Sesquicentennial program kicks off Coles County’s observances of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday which will run through January of 2010. 10 to 4 p.m.

Harvest Frolic & Agricultural Fair October 4-5 Harvest Frolic activities taking place at the Lincoln and Sargent farms both Saturday and Sunday will include period cooking, applesauce making, food drying and preservation, quilting, grist milling, period music, and numerous hands-on activities. Visitors may also stroll the trades area which features period trades and craftspeople demonstrating their wares. These will include blacksmithing, pottery, wood carving, paper cutting (Scherenschnitte), weaving, broom making, candle making, and wood turning on the “Great Wheel.” Many of the trades and crafts people will be selling their wares. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

A Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer November 28 By 1845 governors of many states outside of New England were issuing proclamations for official Days of Thanksgiving. Join us as we explore the Thanksgiving traditions familiar to Illinois’ Yankee settlers at the Stephen Sargent farm. Sargent’s New Hampshire roots and childhood Thanksgiving celebrations will be the basis for our interpretation.

Christmas Candlelight Tours December 5-6 Christmas as we know it today was not widely celebrated on the prairie in the early 1800s. Join us to tour the Lincoln and Sargent farms Friday and Saturday by candle lit paths and see the how Christmas could have been observed by these two families. At the Lincoln Cabin the family will not observe the day with merriment as will some of their neighbors, instead, they gather around the hearth, while the women are busy with their spinning and knitting. Meanwhile, at the Sargent Farm, members of the Sargent family will celebrate the holiday with good food, simple decorations, and readings from the Bible. They represent a growing trend in the 19th century of those who observe the holiday. The Downstate Regional Sacred Harp Shape Note Singers will perform in the Visitor Center along with local musicians. 5 to 8 p.m.