Living History Open House Photos
2009
August 16th, 2009 - Abraham Lincoln's Visit
In August of 1856, Abraham Lincoln, as a Presidential Elector, traveled to Paris Illinois where he gave a speech promoting John C. Fremont for President under the new Republican Party. Abraham then traveled back to Springfield, giving speeches in Charleston and Shelbyville. On the way he may have stopped at the Five Mile House as he probably did all along the way to talk informally to voters about his candidate. On August 16th last, Joe Woodard of Hazel Dell and recent star of the PBS special on Abraham Lincoln, portrayed Abraham during his visit to the Five Mile House. Joe's folksy, down home manner and his mastery of the facts about Lincoln and Lincoln's day gave visitors a real sense of actually having talked to Abraham Lincoln in person. Thank you to Joe, Dick and Kathy Hummel and Myrna Madigan for helping to make the day a success.
August 2nd, 2009 - Rennels Reunion Visit
On August 2nd, the Rennels family visited the Five Mile House during their annual reunion. The Rennels and Straders were both families that lived in the house during the 19th century. Genealogist Barbara Krehbiel was on hand to answer Genealogy questions and Myrna Madigan provided a spinning demonstration. The family even tried their hand at dowsing for outbuildings.
July 26th, 2009 - Firearms On the Illinois Frontier
On July 26th, FMH committee member Dick Hummel presented a program on Firearms On the Illinois Frontier (1845-1865) to an audience of over 30 visitors during the afternoon. Dick showed and talked about his collection of antique firearms and how they were used by the early settlers.
July 12th, 2009 - Blacksmithing, Spinning & Dowsing
On July 12th, Eric Gray from Oakland demonstrated blacksmithing including making horse shoes, S hooks and window pins. Several visitors learned some blacksmithing skills and techniques. Myrna Madigan again demonstrated spinning on her Saxony wheel and Tom Vance demonstrated dowsing for extant historic buildings and other features Dowsers found possible sites of a summer kitchen, a barn or blacksmith shop, three graves and a large feature east of the house. There were over 30 visitors on Sunday.
June 28th, 2009 - Open Hearth Cooking & Period Arts and Crafts
On June 28th, Cheryl Hawker and her Aunt Lilly baked two pies and prepared chicken and noodles on the open hearth. Myrna Madigan did a spinning demonstration, Phil Glosser put on a period Arts and Crafts demonstration and Tom Vance provided banjo music. Dick and Kathy Hummel and Holly Glosser helped with activities and talked with visitors, seen below watching the Five Mile house video.
June 14th, 2009 - Frontier Pharmacy and Heirloom Vegetables
On June 14th, Susan Humphreys, Master Gardener from Oakland, Illinois presented
two programs: The Frontier Pharmacy and Heirloom Vegetables for Today's Gardens.
May 24th, 2009 - Spinning
Marcia Boroughs and Judy Chapman demonstrate spinning as
FMH hosts Nancy Easter Shick and Dick and Kathy Hummel talk to visitors.
2008
September 21st, 2008 - Spinning & Open Hearth Cooking
At the very first FMH Open House on September 21st, 2008, Marcia Boroughs
demonstrated spinning while Gail Casey demonstrated open hearth cooking.
