See the tree trimmed with colorful treasures, smell cookies baking, and sip some hot cider as you experience old-fashioned holiday celebrations through several upcoming free events at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Kline Creek Farm, an 1890s living-history farm in West Chicago.
Join “Candy for the Holidays,” offered Nov. 28 and 29, to learn how bright, colorful hard candies are made from scratch. See the sugar mixture boiling on the wood-burning stove, and take home a special recipe for modern kitchens. Demonstrations begin at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
During “An 1890s Christmas” house tours Dec. 3 – 28, see the house transformed for the season. Enjoy the goose-feather and evergreen trees trimmed in traditional Victorian fashion with popcorn strings, paper chains, small gifts, and cornucopias filled with nuts and candies. See special holiday desserts like plum pudding, marzipan and springerle cookies. Also, learn why handmade gifts were considered more special than store-bought items, and see treasures like rag dolls, wooden toys and handkerchiefs trimmed in lace. Tours begin on the hour 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Also offered Dec. 3 – 28, stop by the farm’s Timber Ridge Visitor Center for a special take on the holiday tradition of the gingerbread house — a miniature version of the farmstead created in spice cookies and decorated with edible goodies. Delight in an orchard of lollipop trees, and smile at the gingerbread farmers cultivating gumdrop fields and tending marzipan animals. The gingerbread farm can be viewed during the visitor center’s regular hours, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
On Dec. 12 and 13, see Santa himself during his special stopover at the farmstead during “Christmas on the Farm.” Visit with Santa, and climb into a sleigh to take a picture. Behold a Victorian Christmas celebration, and learn the origins of several holiday traditions. Make a cornucopia decoration, and stop by a warming fire for caroling and a cup of hot cider. “Christmas on the Farm” activities are ongoing 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
And if you’re looking for a unique holiday gift, the visitor center’s gift shop is full of holiday cheer. Find decorations, Victorian ornaments, old-fashioned toys, fruit preserves and jams, honey from the farm’s hives, unique items handcrafted by local artisans, and more. All of the store’s proceeds help support the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and its mission of conservation, education and recreation. Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted.
Registration is not required to attend these free programs. Kline Creek Farm and the Timber Ridge Visitor Center are open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays and will be closed on Dec. 25 for Christmas Day. The farm is located at 1N600 County Farm Road. For information on programs and events, call the farm at 630-876-5900. For information on the Forest Preserve District, call 630-933-7200, or visit www.dupageforest.org.
Media Contacts: Sue Clark, Kline Creek Farm, 630-876-5900
Bonnie Olszewski, Office of Public Affairs, 630-871-6402
News Release Date: Nov. 13, 2009