Garfield Farm, 2003

[Robert Braun]

We're looking forward to a return to Garfeild Farm and Inn this weekend, October 10-12. Early contingents will arrive late Friday afternoon and into the evening.

We will be located in approximately the same place as last year, with more area to accomodate addiitonal folks. Remember to turn left from Garfield Road into the barn yard area, then turn left again past the visitor center on your left and down hill slightly to our camp area.

Happily, we are informed that the Farm will again provide us with a pork product, beans, peas or rice, and flour or bread. This will be a welcome supplement to our menu planning... which is "in process."

Impression will be post-BHW, October, 1832. Essentially, I'd like to try portraying a segment of the "Sucker" migration of lead diggers travelling FROM the summer diggins in the Mineral District to Illinois. Militia portrayal will be former members of Captain Benjamin Clark's Company (White Oak Springs), of Dodge's "Michigan Mounted Volunteers." Militiamen, please bring at least 20 (prefereably 30) properly rolled and constructed blank cartridges, or at least a quarter pound of bulk powder in either a horn or flask. Spare flints, lead flint grips, and a wiper as always.

Our goals include relaxing and having fun, enjoying each other's company and the company of fellow historical enthusiasts, all while presenting outstanding detailed portrayals of 1832 persons, post Black Hawk War. It should be a blast!

Please contact me with any questions. Drive safely, and we'll see you there!

[Robert Braun]

Well... with weather remarkably similar (but not quite a chilly on Sunday as in 2002) the Garfield Farm event came off excellently.

We talked with many fine folks, and enjoyed the company of many of our reenactor friends. And a special thanks to the folks-- presumably from the Dupage Valley Settlers-- who offered their assistance during our mishap with the tent-cloth blow down Saturday night. Our negative response was more out of frustration with the rock hard ground and our wooden tent pins, than a rejection of help-- which in hindsight would have been better accepted! I offered my thanks personally Sunday morning, and thought it appropriate to restate my appreciation here.

We had a change to chat with many visitors, and change some mis-conceptions about lead mining and the Black Hawk War. We also had fun introducing interested visitors to 1820-1830s daily living, clothing, foodways, etc.

And the foodways! Karl's wonderful dutch oven baked cakes strongly competed with Betsy's "tin kitchen" and its wonder pork loin roast... with baked potatoes that completed our Saturday night feast! Our thanks to Garfield Farm for the ever-plentiful food rations!

And our thanks to the patient staff at Garfield Farm-- Rachel had great fun hearding chickens and pressing apples for cider (an event for which she's waited a year!) Ben thoroughly enjoyed the story teller, and had fun watching the blackmith and other artisans. Plus feeding the sheep and pigs! Andrew and Ian Urven enjoyed their debut as cartridge firing "militiamen!" (I'm sure the people who allegedly rated the movie "The Patriot" would be equally appalled at this occurance!)

All in all, a most successful and enjoyable weekend! We look forward to our next visit to Garfield Farm!

Bob.