Explore early 1900s farming at Dairy Day

St. James Farm Dairy Day offers visitors of all ages a chance to explore what life was like on a dairy farm in the early 1900s.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at St. James Farm on Winfield Road, a quarter-mile north of Butterfield Road in Warrenville.

Visitors can participate in a dairy-themed scavenger hunt, explore a hay maze, try milking Maggie the Milking Cow, see a live cow and win ice cream. Guided covered wagon rides along part of the "milk and newspaper run" of the former CA&E Railroad route will highlight the history of dairy farming in the region.

A costumed interpreter portraying Marion McCormick, who purchased the property with her husband, Chauncey, in 1920, will share stories from the farm's early days and explain how St. James Farm set the benchmark for dairy farms throughout the Midwest for the better part of two decades.

To support their growing, award-winning herd of Guernsey cows, the McCormicks built a state-of-the-art dairy barn with roomy stalls and assorted outbuildings.

"Experience what it's like to make butter and see a hay elevator at work," said Forest Preserve District Commissioner Al Murphy, District 6. "Dairy Day is a great hands-on opportunity for people of all ages."

For information, call (630) 580-7025.