2010 Calendar of Events

BE MY VALENTINE
Saturday February 12, 2010 5:00-7:00 P.M

Couples, bring your partner to the Forest Preserve for a romantic evening. Join us on a guided hike through the historic Rayburn-Purnell Woods, then warm up in the Early American Museum with hot cocoa as you view our collection of antique valentine cards. Create a special valentine for your partner, then join together to share the story of how you first met.
$10.00 per couple.

Registration required by Wednesday, February 10, call (217) 896-2455

LIVE IN PERSON ! A FIRESIDE CHAT
Saturday, March 6, 2010 1:00-2:30 P.M.

Come into our "radio studio" and enjoy the news and stories of the fictional community of Lake of the Woods, "where all the women are strong, all the man are good looking, and all the children are above average". Take part in the program as lighted signs tell you when the program is "On Air" and when to applaud. Free program.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
Sunday, March 7, 2010 2:00 P.M.

Guy Fraker, noted Lincoln and Circuit historian, will talk about Lincoln's formative years as an attorney traveling on "the Circuit" through central Illinois. One cannot fully understand Lincoln and his development without understanding this period. This presentation includes Lincoln's role in each town along the circuit, the cases he handled, the associations he made, and the related history of these counties. Free program

BONEYARD ARTS FESTIVAL AT THE MUSEUM
Sunday, April 18, 2010 1:00-4:00 P.M.
Artisans from central Illinois will be featured throughout the museum and garden as we join in the celebration the arts and become part of the Boneyard Arts Festival. Come share in their creativity, bring your own sketch pads and art supplies, or stop by our visitor stations and try your hand at different art forms. Free program

THE INITIAL EVALUATIONS OF THE ILLINOIS PRAIRIE
1815-1840
Sunday, April 25, 2010 2:00 P.M.

Accustomed to wooded environments in the eastern United States, new settlers had varied perceptions of the prairies, which influenced the timing and patterns of settlement and uses of those prairies. In this presentation, Norm Moline reviews and commemorates Douglas McManis' excellent research in the early 1960s on this topic. The presentation also illustrates the importance of perception in all studies of settlement history. Free program

THE GIFT OF THE SILK WORM - PART I
Sunday, May 16, 2010 2:00-4:00 P.M.
Sue Cutter, spinner and silk worm keeper, will share the fascinating history behind the production of silk. Participants find the cost associated with silk a bargain. Free program

TIME TRAVELING ON THE PRAIRIE: CLOSING THE CIRCLE
Saturday, May 22, 2010 4:00-6:00 P.M.
Travel through time while listening to stories of life on the prairie, the evolution of the landscape, and settlers' accounts of how the land was altered to be productive for food and livelihood. This Theater in the Round will lead to a real hands on experience for the audience!
Fee $5.00 per family or $2.50 per person

A PROPER YOUNG LADY
Saturday, June 5, 2010 1:00-3:00 P.M.
Learn about Victorian "manners" at this afternoon tea. Practice table manners and learn how to walk and talk. Find out what manners survive today. Costumes are desired and gloves and hats should be worn. Parlor games and other activities will be played.
Fee: $5.00 per person

PRAIRIE STORIES
Saturday, September 18, 2010 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Enjoy a day of family fun at the Early American Museum as you do work and play from an earlier time. Dress in old-time clothes; listen to the strains of Banjulele as they play old-time songs of Illinois; dip candles; make and eat a hush puppy; churn butter and try many old-time crafts. Wander down Blacksmith Row as they each create works of art or necessity and show their skills and individual talents. Participate in a raffle for beautiful hand-forged utensils that can be used for cooking or display and donated by the Dewitt County Area Blacksmiths. The annual dog house building project will once again take place with everyone who helped build it entered into a drawing to take it home. Go for hikes through the prairie and learn about the history of the prairie in Illinois and the plants and animals that call it home. Don't miss this fun-filled day. Free program

ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN AMERICAN ART
Sunday, October 10, 2010 2:00 P.M.

In this presentation, Mark Pohlad traces the image of Abraham Lincoln in the history of American art. From Mathew Brady's photographs, to statues by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, to paintings by contemporary artists such as Ed Paschke, the sixteenth President has been the subject of many important American works of art. Besides description and analysis of these pieces, this lively multimedia presentation will also involve history, art, media, and the biography of Abraham Lincoln. Free program

NOVEMBER MOON
Saturday, November 13, 2010 4:30-6:00 P.M.

Enjoy the magic of a fall evening program. We'll spend much of the time at a bonfire if weather permits. A special visitor will involve guests in stories of an earlier time and special places. Cost $5.00 per person.
Pre-registration is required.

THE GIFT OF THE SILK WORM, PART II
Sunday, November 21, 2010 1:00-4:00 P.M.

Join us for a program on silk spinning techniques and things that can be created with silk worm silk. Bring gifts you need to wrap and learn the art of ribbon sewing as you create your own gift wrap for those one of a kind gifts. Free program

TO GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE WE GO
Saturday, December 4, 2010 1:00-4:00 P.M.

Join our annual holiday program where children can make and take ornaments or presents for family members. Each year we provide ideas for new gifts and ornaments. A gift wrap station will be available too. Our storyteller will spin stories of the past and the day will end with a Christmas carol or two. Free program

SENIOR MOMENT
FOREST AND PRAIRIE: THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
Thursday, February 4, 2010 Windsor of Savoy 10:00 A.M.
Thursday, February 4, 2010 Clark Lindsey Village 7:00 P.M.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 Prairie Winds 10:00 A.M.

Early European settlers who came to Champaign County settled in the groves, islands of trees in the vast prairie…or in the river corridors called timbers. Barbara Oehlschlaeger-Garvey will talk about the original groves in Champaign County and examine the relationship of the early settlers to their new landscape. Free programs

SECOND SUNDAY ARTISAN SERIES
Free programs

Sunday, June 13, 2010 3:00-6:00 P.M.
From 3:00-5:00, visit with artist and teacher, Sally Walsh. Artwork for sale. At 5:00 P.M., join us in the garden as we listen to the Big Bluestem String Band featuring "eclectic traditional songs and tunes of love, merriment and mayhem."

Sunday July 11, 2010 3:00-7:00 P.M.
From 3:00-5:00, visit with artist, Larry Steinbauer, who works with varied art forms from thought provoking hilarity to gentle watercolors. Co-owner of Wind, Water and Light Gallery in Champaign. Artwork for sale. Then head to the garden to enjoy Irish music by Bloomsday.

Sunday, August 8, 2010 3:00-6:00 P.M.
From 3:00-5:00, visit with artist, Mary Tangora, and jewelry light as sea foam and stars and as down to earth as fossil and natural stone. Co-owner of Wind, Water and Light Gallery in Champaign. Artwork for sale. Then head to the garden and choose your own tunes from David Howie's songbook. David plays covers of popular songs from the 1970s until today.

GRAND PRAIRIE KIDS PROGRAM
Dip into some summertime fun! Each morning is filled with stories, crafts, and bits of information. Programs run from 9:30-11:00 A. M.
Ages 5-12 years old
Pre-registration required.
Sign up for all programs or you can sign up for programs separately
Cost $5.00 per child per program

ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE
Wednesday, June 16, 9:30-11:00 A.M.
Have fun in our one room school house with our 19th century school marm.

THE GIVING TREE
Wednesday, June 30, 9:30-11:00 A.M.
How important is a tree in your life?

BREAD AND BUTTER
Wednesday, July 14, 9:30-11:00 A.M.
Make butter the old fashioned way and have a tasty treat.

HOME SCHOOL PROGRAMS

NATIVE AMERICANS
March 24, 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Ancient Native people is the topic of the day. Life as early Native Americans, settlers, and modern day life will be compared and contrasted through discussion, activities, and exhibits.

Ages6 and up with parental accompaniment.
Fee: $4.00 per child.

BY THE BOOKS
April 13 and December 1, 9:30-11:00 A.M.
You will read suggested books prior to the day. During sessions we will participate in many activities from the books.

Ages 2 and up with parental accompaniment.
Fee: $3.00 per child.