News

Schaumburg celebrates Christmas, 1880s-style

Posted December 03, 2017 12:00 am

Daily Herald report

Museum educator Dan Hess drives the horse-drawn wagon as he gave rides Sunday during Christmas in the Valley at Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg. The Schaumburg Park District gave visitors a chance to experience the holidays as they were celebrated in the late 1800s. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

Families took advantage of a warm start to December with horse-drawn wagon rides and more activities Sunday during Christmas in the Valley at the Merkle Cabin and Volkening Heritage Farm in Schaumburg.

The Schaumburg Park District event offered visitors a chance to experience the holidays as they were celebrated in the late 1800s, before the modern-day hustle and bustle.

"We have everything up here from what it was like to live in the 1880s during Christmastime, all the way to the cabin where they have Father Christmas visiting," said Patricia Kennedy, program coordinator for the farm.

More than 1,000 people came out to decorate cookies, make wooden ornaments, play with historic 1880s-style toys and visit with Father Christmas.

"This is a nice family activity on a nice day. Our kid loved it," Krystle Ansay of Hoffman Estates said as she watched her 6-year-old daughter, Serenity, play, "It was very cute seeing her with Father Christmas. She was very excited."

Frank Patrzalek, 6, right, and Peter Palecki, 8, both of Streamwood, play with 1880s-style toys Sunday during Christmas in the Valley at Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg. The Schaumburg Park District gave visitors a chance to experience the holidays as they were celebrated in the late 1800s. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.comSofia Aleksic, 3, of Schaumburg makes a Christmas tree ornament out of a wood chip Sunday during Christmas in the Valley at Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg. The Schaumburg Park District gave visitors a chance to experience the holidays as they were celebrated in the late 1800s.

Article Comments

Article Categories
News Park Districts Schaumburg Park District

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.