Step back in time during Bonner Farm's spring fling

Celebrate spring by discovering a space that represents part of Lake County's past.

The first Bonner Farm spring fling will run from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Bonner Heritage Farm near Lindenhurst.

Bonner Farm was originally homesteaded in 1842 by Scottish immigrants William and Margaret Bonner. In 1995, Howard "Shorty" Bonner, their great-grandson, donated an 8-acre cluster of buildings from this farm to the forest preserves.

Run by staff from the Lake County Discovery Museum, museum educator Seleena Kuester said currently the land is used for school programs, special events and open to the public to access part of the Millennium Trail. While they also host a fall event, they added a spring event to invite the public to come learn about this land.

"We want to get more people out here and let people know about this place," Kuester said.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the Bonner farmhouse and barns, historic buildings that are not yet open to the public, she said.

The most historically significant structure on the property is the main barn. The oak-and-hickory structure was built in 1848. Measuring 40 by 44 feet, it held five cows.

As the family prospered, the barn reflected that with four expansions and two silos.

During the spring fling, enjoy children's crafts and games. Explore the site's hands-on exhibits, which opened in fall 2004. These include a children's play maze, barn raising, weather station and oversized farm animal cut-outs.

Food and folk music by Jim Kanas will round out the afternoon.

Admission costs $3 per person. Children age 3 and under are free. The parking area to Bonner Heritage Farm is on Country Place, off of Sand Lake Road, west of Route 45.