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The Jersey County Victorian Festival is held on Labor Day
Weekend. Located one mile North of Jerseyville on Route 67
at the Historic Hazel Dell Farm. The Festival is the official event of the
ILL-MO Tractor and Engine Club. Adults: $10, Children
under 13 are free Free Parking. Grounds open at 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.
For more information, please call 618-498-5590, email
hazeldell@gtec.com. |
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FESTIVAL TO FEATURE WORKING
ARTISANS, ANTIQUES AND CRAFTS, AND LIVING HISTORY
The Jersey County
Victorian Festival will have a variety of working artisans on site during
the Festival, many of which have been recognized in Early American Life
in the “Directory of Traditional American Crafts,” including Historic Pewter
and pottery, Victorian horse carving, fanbird carving, silk ribbon
embroidery, coopering wooden buckets, quilting, needlework, basket making,
rope making, sgraffito decoration of redware pottery, musical and rhythm
instruments of the period, broom making, blacksmithing and a Colonial
Gunsmith, all offering one of a kind items for sale. Antiques, collectibles
and many other unique items will be available to purchase as well as a
variety of items for sale from Civil War Sutlers that include Civil War era
clothing, tintypes, camp supplies and more.
President and Mrs.
Lincoln will give an educational narrative of the events leading up to the
Civil War and the Battle at Gettysburg followed by the President’s
Gettysburg Address. Mrs. Lincoln will narrate a Civil War era style show
explaining what was proper during this period of time and what was not.
Embalming demonstrations will be given to enhance an understanding of ritual
practices during the Civil War. Visitors can tour Confederate and Union
camps, visit with reenactors and view how meals are prepared over an open
fire. The “North Meets the South” when reenactors participate in the daily
battle that includes cavalry, artillery and infantry.
The 1866 Fulkerson
Mansion will be open for tours and is beautifully furnished with rare
antiques of the period. The mansion is rich in Civil War history and
includes a special display of the Colonel’s Civil War personal items, the
work of artist Charles M. Russell, a nephew of the Fulkerson’s who
considered the farm his boyhood home, a tasteful display of Civil War and
Western era “Women of ILL-Repute,” and a special room dedicated to the Civil
War featuring the Lincoln Anvil and original artifacts.
The Festival promotes
“History in Motion,” not only through Civil War reenactments, but also
agricultural demonstrations, taking a step back in time to view our history
and to give visitors an opportunity to get closer to our past. Plowing with
steam engines and antique tractors using antique plows will exhibit a much
earlier time of farming. This year’s Festival will feature John Deere.
Winter wheat will be threshed using large antique threshing machines powered
by steam engines and tractors. Steam engines will also power the 1889
Garr-Scott double bladed sawmill as logs are cut into lumber. Gas engines
will be on display and demonstrate the important part of history they played
on the farm and also in the home. Antique trucks and cars will also be on
display throughout the Labor Day Weekend.
The Duel of Honor
between two civilian gentlemen following the historically correct 1777 Code
Duello Rules of Dueling will take place daily after insults are exchanged
between the gentlemen. Storytelling, stagecoach and surrey rides and picking
up freshly plowed potatoes are favorites of the children as well as the
Stagecoach Robbery by the James Gang that take place at noon each day of the
Festival.
A great variety of
food is available and visitors can sit under large shade trees and enjoy
entertainment by the Chris Talley Bluegrass Band. The Band will be playing
from 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. all three days. The Festival is a wonderful family
event that is both educational and entertaining.
The Jersey County
Victorian Festival is held on Labor Day Weekend, September 4, 5 and 6, one
mile North of Jerseyville on Route 67 at the Historic Hazel Dell Farm. The
Festival is the official event of the ILL-MO Tractor and Engine Club.
Adults: $8; Children: $2; under 6 Free. Free Parking. Grounds open at 7 a.m.
– 5 p.m. daily. For more information, please call 618-498-5590, email
hazeldell@gtec.com. |
