Re-enactors converge for American Heritage Living History Show
Explore our country's past at the American Heritage Living History Show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.
Geared toward re-enactors and anyone who enjoys U.S. history, it features juried artisans, merchants, craftsmen and women, black powder clubs, demonstrations and seminars spanning the time period 1700-1890.
Admission is $7 per day, $5 if in period clothes, $10 for the weekend, free for children 12 and younger. For details, visit facebook.com/AmericanHeritageLivingHistoryShow or call (630) 879-1739.
Show founder and organizer Jim Fairchild shared his thoughts on the show's third anniversary.
Jim Fairchild, Batavia
It seems like just yesterday that I started asking, “What if there was a quality indoor history show for re-enactors in the Chicago area?” And here I sit writing an article for our third show already.
We have found that there is the need for an event that showcases our American heritage. This is why we are covering the eras of when we were fledgling colonists of the 1700s through to the wild West of the 1890s and everything in between.
Our nation saw many hardships as well as industrious miracles through these times. The mission of this show is to provide an outlet for history buffs and the general public interested in learning “hands-on history” and finding quality information, tools and accoutrements for the hobbies of living history re-enacting and black powder enthusiast.
The first two years have been a growing experience for us, and the upcoming show promises to be larger than the last. Both participants and attendees have matched our enthusiasm for having a quality living history show.
We have assembled a quality group of re-enactors, living historians, merchants, Native Americans, contemporary gunsmiths, SASS members, blanket traders, antique and reproduction firearm collectors, and demonstrators of their craft for the eras of 1740-1890. We will have signup sheets at the admission table. Our seminar workshops include:
• Colonial Hand Stitching workshop by Flying Heart Millinery, flyingheartmillinery@yahoo.com. There is a $10 fee for the kit, and you will learn several stitches as well as rolled hem.
• Suzanne Swenson will be on hand to appraise quilts; $25 for verbal and $50 for a written appraisal. Email her at cherrybasket@aol.com to make an appointment.
• Karen at Apple Cart Creations will hold a workshop to learn how to spin fibers or spin better by using your spinning wheel or a drop spindle. If you need to borrow a spinning wheel, register at karen@applecartdreations.com. There is a small fee.
• Annie Metz of Turkey Roost will be giving a talk on historical clothing; see www.facebook.com/TurkeyRoostTraders.
• Cathy Grafton will hold an 18th century silk ribbon embroidery class with a small materials fee.
• Nancy Garrett will teach an Appalachian dulcimer class; bring your instrument or contact her in advance to borrow one. www.facebook.com/nancy.garrett.967.
• We will have demonstrations in the main room from the 17th Field Corps Hospital showing actual procedures from the American Civil War.
If you have come to the show wearing your re-enacting garb, we greatly encourage this. For a fee, Chris Olsen of Dagnabit Studios will be on hand to capture your likeness using wet plate technology of the 1800s.
Pastor Jarboe will hold our Sunday morning church service and all are welcome. Times for these show happenings will be announced throughout the weekend.
For details, visit the show's Facebook page or email springvalleylodges@comcast.net.