Woodlawn Farm holds celebration commemorating the farm’s 200 years
By Barbara Suelter
Learning can be fun. Many of those who visited Woodlawn Farm Museum for their 200th Birthday Celebration found that it is indeed true — learning CAN be fun!
Woodlawn Farm Museum held its 200th Birthday Celebration on Saturday, September 14.
There were so many activities and demonstrations for both the young and the old. There were tram rides by Dale Lair from the Prairie Land Heritage Museum which provided views of the entire farm.
Many visitors took home one of the carved wooden spoons after watching them being made by Bob Collings. Because many of the drinking utensils of the mid-1800s were those made by potters, local potter Kirby Drennan provided demonstrations; she also sold out of her wonderful commemorative Woodlawn Farm mugs.
There were opportunities to visit with General Ulysses S. Grant (portrayed by Larry Werline) as he strolled the grounds and explained his activities while moving his troops through the Jacksonville area.
Through all of this, you could hear wonderful music coming from a tent housing Mike Anderson, the dulcimer guy. Many of the children attending the events were enthralled by the dulcimers that he would allow the children to play through his instruction.
There were many other activities for children around the grounds such as rug beating using old time wire beaters, making yarn dolls, playing checkers, and making butter by shaking jars of cream until your arms were exhausted. There were a number of old pieces of farm equipment to be viewed as well.
Most of the visitors took advantage of the abbreviated tours of the 1840s farmhouse to hear of the many tales of farm life and learn about activities associated with the issues of the Underground Railroad. There were guides in period-appropriate costumes telling the stories of the challenges of the Underground Railroad.
A visiting young man drew the name of Marcy Morris, winner of the pork bundle provided by Jones Meat & Locker, as well as the name of Phyllis Wheeler, winner of the quilt made using the Monkey Wrench quilt block. Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer presented a certificate to the museum staff acknowledging the 200th birthday of the farm and its significance of being a part of the Underground Railroad system.
Other sponsors of the event were The Source, The Farmer’s State Bank and Trust Co., Larry and Judy Armstrong, Bound to Stay Bound, John and Sara Krenzke, James Koepke, and Gail Huffaker Kemper.
Thank you to all who supported and attended the 200th Birthday Celebration of Woodlawn Farm Museum. Woodlawn Farm is located at 1463 Gierke Lane in Jacksonville. Visit woodlawnfarm.com for more information.
