Tuesday, May 28, 2013

In The Good Old Summer Time

The Summer 2013 Summer Sunday Series at Colonel Palmer House kicks off on Sunday, June 2, 1-4 pm with “Chewing the Cud: Cows on the Farm”. This FREE program takes place on the grounds of the beautiful historic Colonel Palmer house, 660 East Terra Cotta Ave (Route 176) in Crystal Lake. Summer Sunday programs are free and open to people of all ages. A new themed Summer Sunday event is scheduled in June, July and August this summer
This month's theme “Chewing the Cud: Cows on the Farm” features demonstrations of livestock farming in the 1800’s. Livestock farming was a necessity for the early settlers of Crystal Lake. Cows especially provided for many of the farmers needs. Dairy cows supplied milk for the family and a farmer’s wife made butter and cheese. Meat from beef cattle was preserved for use during the long winter months by drying or salting. 
Colonel Palmer House staff, Crystal Lake Historical Society volunteers and other costumed interpreters will demonstrate 19th century methods for butter and cheese-making provide information on the c.1858 home and the Palmer family who lived there. 
Visitors will be invited to engage in farm chores that include milking a cow and mucking a stall. A replica barn, on loan from the McHenry County Historical Society, will be constructed on site at 2 pm. Local historian, Nancy Fike will narrate the barn raising. Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy a wagon ride around the property once called “Palmer’s Corner” as well as tour the inside of the Colonel Palmer House and view exhibits relating to dairying in Crystal Lake.
For further information contact Mary Ott at (815) 477-5873, or via email palmerhouse@crystallakeparks.org.

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