Durant House open for tours
The 1843 Durant House Museum will offer and afternoon of old-fashioned fun from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Held on the restored prairie farmhouse's grounds, the festival will feature a variety of activities for families and persons of all ages.
The Durant House Museum, the Fox Valley's own "Little House on the Prairie," will be open for tours throughout the afternoon. Costumed docents will greet guests in the original 1840s home built by Bryant Durant, as well as the 1880s Victorian kitchen added by the Godfrey Peterson family. The one-room Pioneer Sholes School will also be open to visitors.
Archaeologist and historian Keith Ryder will be conducting his 1840s Surveyor Program, which features an in-depth discussion of the survey and sale of public lands in the Midwest. Additionally, Ryder will demonstrate how to operate a plain compass, rod and pins, Gunter's chain, and drawing instruments.
Under the shade trees, skilled artisans will demonstrate a wide range of crafts including spinning, quilting, and weaving.
The Children's Corner, located adjacent to the Museum's main entrance, offers early 19th century toys and tools for the younger children to enjoy. Iron pots and pans, building logs made from corn cobs, marbles and tops will also be included for young visitor's entertainment. Noah's Landing Petting Zoo will provide youngsters with an opportunity to see and handle farm animals. Older children may be more enticed by the stilts, rolling hoops, '"The Graces," and water carrying races.
Music for the afternoon's festivities will include lively old-time dulcimer tunes. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic and stay for the afternoon. Homemade cookies, lemonade, and a whole host of refreshments will be available for purchase.
Admission to the Summer Frolic event is $3 per adult and $1 per child (ages 3-12). The rain date for this event is Aug. 17.
The Durant House Museum and Pioneer Sholes School are located in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve on Dean Street, one mile west of Randall Road in Saint Charles. All Living History programs at the Durant House Museum are sponsored by Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley, with additional support from the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.
The Durant House Museum and Sholes School are open to the public Thursday and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. June through August and on Sundays through Oct. 5. For details, call Preservation Partners at (630) 377-6424 or visit www.ppfv.org.