Cragg Cabin Festival

39th Annual Cabin Festival
Saturday, June 7, 2025
from 10 AM to 3 PM
FEATURING the Cragg Cabin

N O T I C E
President Char has cancelled the Cabin Festival for 2025 held this Saturday at Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area (June 7, 2025).

Instead, President Char invites everyone to come to the Grundy County Historical Society Museum at 510 W Illinois Avenue. The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

President Char will be at the Museum beginning at 10:00 a.m. with brochures and a talk about the cabin for those that attend.

Vice President Beverly Mansfield will be in the first edition weaving on the loom making rag rugs all day.

So drop into the museum and enjoy a walk through, admire the beautiful exhibits and spend some time with Char and Pris.

Our Sponsor for the 9th year --
CPV Three Rivers Energy Center,
We welcome our neighbors!

This is a day devoted to
Free-Family-Fun!

There will be no Rain Date.

Chairwomen for this event :
Charlene McDade and Beverly Mansfield.

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

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 (known 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)

Updated Sept. 11, 2025

Cragg Cabin History Story
Reenactment may include:

American Indian
   Life & Culture
Bee Keeper
Blacksmith
Childrens Games
Tanning, Farming
Plant Study
Old fashion Games
Wood Carvers
Knitting, Crochet
Discussions of
   the Culture, Cabin Life and Area History in
1830 - 1860s

We are constantly looking for period
re-enactors to help us with this event. If you are interested in participating call us.
815-953-4567.

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 or Call President Char -
815-953-4567..