Friday, April 4, 2008 11:25 PM CDT
Two events in May will launch Lincoln Log's 2008 activity season
By DAVE FOPAY, Staff Writer
dfopay@jg-tc.com
LERNA — More focus on an actual historical event along with many traditional favorites are part of Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site’s special events schedule for 2008.
Site officials announced the schedule this week, and it features seven events between early May and early December.
The season begins May 2 and 3 with the “19th Century Militia Muster” event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. It’s an event that’s taken place at the site in the past, but this year’s version is different in that it makes reference to a specific event in Illinois history.
Site Manager Matthew Mittelstaedt said the event will portray a local militia call-up by Illinois’ governor in 1845 in response to a conflict involving the Mormon population in western Illinois, which led to the death of Mormon leader Joseph Smith. In the past, the event has portrayed musters without any reference to the reason for the call-up, he said.
“We want to focus on specific points in Illinois history and that one is a very good one to use,” Mittelstaedt said. A militia from this part of the state probably wasn’t sent to the conflict, but it would have been called to duty to be ready in case it was needed, he explained.
The next event, “Sheep to Clothing” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 24, will cover cloth-making and also include antique coverlet identification. Mittelstaedt said the site will be looking for coverlets to be included in an exhibit that the site and Eastern Illinois University are compiling on home-base weaving.
Other events for the year are:
- “Taste of Summer,” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 5. The event will feature the site’s gardens that visitors can compare to those of today. There will also be a corn boil and samples of sweet corn available.
- “Bluegrass Jam,” 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10. Bluegrass musicians from Illinois, Indiana and Missouri will be at the site to play in informal groups. Visitors can bring instruments and join in.
- “Harvest Frolic and Agricultural Fair,” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5. The site’s oldest event, which started in 1974, is also its best-attended and includes a variety of presentations on crafts and trade, as well as entertainment and food and other items for sale.
- “A Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer,” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28. The day-after-Thanksgiving event shows how Thanksgiving was observed in Illinois when it was first becoming an observed holiday in many parts of the country.
- “Christmas Candlelight Tours,” 5-8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. Christmas observances of the 1840s will be portrayed and music will be performed in the site’s visitors center, and visitors can walk to the performances along candle-lit paths.
The site is located south of Charleston and features the last home of Abraham Lincoln’s father and stepmother, and more information is available by calling the site at 345-1845.
Mittelstaedt credited the site’s volunteers for helping to keep the special events schedule in place when state budget cuts mean the site can’t employ as many workers as it has in the past.
Contact Dave Fopay at dfopay@jg-tc.com or 348-5733.
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