‘Games for all Ages’ at Historical Village
By Marla Knuettel
The New London Heritage Historical Society will host Heritage Day & Railfest on Sunday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The annual fundraiser is held at the Historical Village, 900 Montgomery St., adjacent to Memorial Park. All proceeds go toward maintaining the buildings, grounds and railroad stock.
This year’s theme is “Games for all Ages.” There will be board games at the picnic tables as well as competitive sessions for the most energetic attendees. The games will be spearheaded by staff at the society’s information and craft booth where participants and winners can cash in their tokens for prizes.
Check-in at the Chicago and Northwestern Depot is encouraged as the society appreciates showing off the immense railroad memorabilia and a refurbished Edison upright phonograph player. Visitors may also buy a ticket from NLHHS President Bob Polaske for the sweepstakes drawing of cash prizes and other items including a Green Bay Packers football signed by the 2017 team. The drawing will be at 3 p.m. Entrants do not need to be present to win.
Society volunteers will be in the buildings highlighting the history and uniqueness of each one in turn: the depot, the little white chapel, the one-room schoolhouse, the Edison-Simmons garage, the 1851 Gitter-McLaughlin cabin and the Octagon House.
Young and old can climb around the railroad stock: the Laona locomotive, a 1928 boxcar that transported new Model T’s to area dealerships, and the two cabooses, circa 1967 and 1888.
Be sure and check out the huge rummage sale nearby and the bake sale in the Octagon House.
Pastor Tony Fuller will offer an ecumenical service at 1 pm. in the chapel.
The Buckskinners’ encampment, live music, food stand, FFA petting zoo, Kruzicki’s Kemo Kritter alpacas, antique tractors and an M-37 military vehicle will round out the attractions.
Many vendors have signed up to show their wares, from homemade quilts, rugs, purses, baskets, painted windows, wreaths, yard decorations, woodworking, photography, Scentsy, painted gourds, books, jewelry and more.
Blacksmithing will be demonstrated by Clint Danke. Michele Krisher will show her weaving and spinning skills.
Come and see what Leona Mech, Eleanore Cooney and others started 40 years ago with tours at the Triangle School while it was still on Highway 45 (now State Highway 15). Polaske, society president for the last 30 years, is serving his last year in that role but will remain active at the village along with a myriad of volunteers who have spent the last three months spiffing up the buildings, hosting open houses and preparing for their annual fundraiser.
Last open houses
The last open house at the Historical Village will be Sunday, Aug. 19, 1 to 4 p.m. It will be preceded by a 2.5-mile Pet Walk at 10:30 a.m. (registration at 10 a.m.) followed by hot dogs and dog treats for all participants.
The Thern Farm open house will be in the evening, 7 to 9 p.m., with a bonfire and s’mores. For more information, visit www.historicalvillage.org and www.thernfarmnl.com.
From September to the start of winter, tours at the village may be scheduled by calling the Depot at 920-982-8557. Tours and special year-round programming at Thern Farm may be scheduled by calling 920-878-2400.