Tavern Day takes Glen Ellyn back to 1840s

Tell today's kids that it's time to clean their rooms or help in the yard and you'll likely hear protests about having to do chores.

But tell today's kids it's time to go to Tavern Day and they'll gladly spend an afternoon sawing wood or making rope.

Tavern Day, organized by the Glen Ellyn Historical Society, turns the common chores of 1840s Glen Ellyn into a hands-on community history lesson. The annual event on Sunday filled the Glen Ellyn History Park at Stacy's Tavern Museum with an ode to life in the town's early days.

With the sounds of strolling musicians providing the soundtrack, visitors could see what it took to do laundry in the 1840s, use rope to string a bed, dip candles or help bring in the vegetable harvest. And after doing their chores, they could see the blacksmith at work, make a pioneer craft, learn about butterflies and bees, and test their skills with pioneer games and toys.

Live farm animals, including goats, and activities like corn shelling hearkened back to the village's agricultural roots.

"It is fun and we come every year," said Susan Sallas of Glen Ellyn.

This year, the Glen Ellyn Historical Society had 80 youth volunteers from area schools and even a Cub Scout den help with the various activities.