Doors open at 1 p.m., with the “Farm Tool School” program to begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.
The museum, located at 202 E. Lincolnway, is accessible to all from a ramp behind the circa-1865 building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Gravert’s deep interest in early modes of farming is the focus of the “obscure” tools he will display. Area farm families – retired or current – are invited to attend this program to help identify and discuss quirky, vintage tools and machinery.
“I’ve lived on the family farm for 58 years in the Spring Valley area, where I raised, showed, and farmed with Belgian horses for 40 years. I was the closest thing to Amish in this area for many years,” jokes Gravert. He’s the co-founder of the local “Marc & Linda’s Amish Blog” on Facebook, which has over 6,000 members.
The Heritage Museum is open from 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through November 17, and it’s also available for meetings and private tours by appointment. Contact the museum at 815-772-8889 or Harvey Zuidema at 815-772-3084 for more information.
If you or someone you know is interested in presenting a historical topic of interest to the community, please contact Stephanie Vavra at 815-535-7005.
