Cragg Cabin Festival

The Annual Cabin Festival
is June 15, 2013.
Mark your calendar!
These re-enactors will be our guests on the Cragg Cabin grounds, describing their projects June 15, 2013. On Saturday, the re-enactors will visit with you for 5 hours,
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Food will be served by the Cragg Cabin and the Gift shop with a plant sale will be available on the Cabin Grounds.

The Soap Maker
Judi Jacksohn The Cragg Cabin Interpreter
Joannett Fleming

Jenny Rohr, an accomplished classical violinist and "fiddler extraordinaire," will be explaining similarities and differences between the violin and the fiddle at the upcoming Cabin Fest, with examples of each style played on her red, white and blue instrument and a good amount of humor thrown in, for good measure. She has been playing and performing for over 30 years and enjoys hearing a good "yeehaw" and hand clapping while she plays (unless, of course, she's part of a classical orchestra!).

Look for Jenny at the Cabin Festival along with Brandon Slatton and his fiddle. The music on the prairie will be so lovely to hear....

Artemas, the Tinker; Diantha, the Weaver;
and Toby, the camp dog.
doing crafts and skills common to Pioneers

The Musician
Brandon Slatton with the Fiddle The Tanner
Beverly Mansfield

The American Indian
Traveling Museum (Dances, Games & Suncatchers)
Louis Aiello The Weaver
Susie Johnson
Selling Woven Rag Rugs

The Bobbin Lacermakers
Donna Fousek
Kate Wild The Spinner
Kathy Tovey (sheep to sock)

The Wood Worker
Ed Fleming
Selling 3 Legged Milking stools, Canes, and Weaving Shuttles

The Bobbin Lacemakers
Donna Fousek The Irish Crocheter
Kate Wild

Event Interpreter
Susie Johnson Fundraiser Chair
Chuck Johnson - in the Visitors Center View the raffle item: twin size quilt.

Choose a Lunch in our Food Shop. We will be selling Hotdogs, Brats and Buffalo Burgers for a fair price.

Wagon Driver
Lon Lovellette The Wood Carver
Herb Hain

Prairie Partner Gift shop
(Near the Cragg Cabin)
Norma Hedges, Store Manager Prairie Partner Food Shop
(Located behind the cabin)
Cook Bill Mahler
and Cook's Assistant Kim

Visit the Visitor's Center, Museum, Picnic areas, Butterfly barn or pick a trail to walk.

Tanner Mansfield will be returned again this year as well as Lou Aiello and his Traveling American Indian Exhibit.

2013 Cabin Festival Flyer
Click Here

Cabin Festival is sponsored by the Goose Lake Prairie Partners and the GLPSNA Staff.

The Origin of the Cabin Festival at GLPSNA

In February of 1985, a new Prairie Partner asked about the Cabin and it's uses. She was told that it was used once in the fall for a program called "Incredible Edibles," and a warming place for cross-country skiers in winter. Vince Matthews, the interpreter at the time, asked what the person had in mind.

It was at that time that Cabin Festival began, patterned after the "Settlement" in Lockport, (run by the Will Co. Historical Society). The new member knew several of the crafters in Lockport and asked them to come to Goose Lake Park and bring their crafts, making and doing things that the pioneers would need to do to survive.

The cabin (knows as the Cragg Cabin) had only two benches, a table and a chair that was donated. Pioneer Cabin Festival was bore.

The date chosen was September Prairie week and also combined "Incredible Edibles." This was what we would call "weeds," but the pioneers found several things such as dandelion leaves and some roots to use in the spring. They picked wild berries as the summer progressed and made jams and sauces. The partners demonstrated the use of the "weeds" and served jams and jellies on crackers for the 'guests' to sample.

Eventually, because of weather and lack of crafters in the fall, the Pioneer Cabin Festival was moved to spring. Crafters were not so overwhelmed with too many festivals at that time.

(Reference: Jo Fleming, Morris, IL)

We are constantly looking for period
re-enactors to help us with this event.
Crafts that pioneers would most likely do in the 1800s is our emphasis.
If you would like more information about our festival please call 815-942-2899.

Updated May 21, 2013.

Re-enactment may include

American Indian Life & Culture
Blacksmithing
Campfire Cooking
Soap Making
Candle Making
Tanning, Farming
Plant Study
Old fashion Games
Wood working
Wood Carvers
Fiddling
Knitting, Crochet
Lace Making, Quilting
Weaving, Spinning
Clothes Discussions
Culture in 1830
Cabin Life & Area History