As you know, organizations of this nature can’t survive with the generosity of other organizations and individuals who do special things to help you succeed. The Franklin Grove Area Historical Society would like to acknowledge and thank the following organizations which have "gone the extra mile" to help us be successful.
Battery G 2nd Illinois Light Artillery Civil War Reenactment Group
The Historical Society is pleased to partner with Battery G 2nd Illinois Light Artillery Civil War Reenactment Group for the very first time to develop and produce the 1st Annual Battle of Chaplin Creek.
Battery G is a Civil War reenactment group, based in the Rockford, Illinois that participates in battle reenactments, living history encampments, parades, ceremonies and educational presentations. The unit a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the public about the American Civil War, about the role that field artillery played in the war and about the people who fought and lived through those difficult times. In order to properly educate the public, the unit strives for authenticity in its impressions, uniforms, equipment and encampments.
To learn more about Battery G 2nd Illinois Light Artillery Civil War Reenactment Group, please visit their web site at: www.batteryg.org.
Century Air Minstrels
The Century Air Minstrels play Civil War Era Folk Tunes for Civil War Balls, Dances and Living History Presentations throughout the Midwest. The Century Air Minstrels will be playing at Chaplin Creek Village on June 21st, at 7:00 at the Battle of Chaplin Creek - Civil War Ball. For more information about the Civil War Ball, please see the Civil War Reenactment portion of our web site.
For more information about the Century Air Minstrels, please write to Steve Smunt at swsmunt@sbcglobal.net.
Bear Creek
Gary Plazyk and Rob Middleton are "Bear Creek" who perform perform music and songs from the 1800's, plus sea shanties and children's songs with a variety of acoustic instruments. They perform at various special events throughout Northern Illinois during the year. Gary and Bob will be participating in the Battle of Chaplin Creek Civil War Reenactment and Living History Weekend on Saturday, June 21st from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
To learn more about Gary and Rob as well as learn of their scheduled appearances in 2008, please visit their web site at: www.bearcreekmusic.us.
Farming Heritage
The Farming Heritage is a group of private citizens organized to protect Franklin Grove's historic buildings. Most notably, is the groups efforts in the restoration of the H.I. Lincoln Building. Support for the organization comes from several sources, but most notably, through the annual antique car raffle.
This year's raffle features a beautiful Model A which will be displayed at Chaplin Creek Village during the Civil War Reenactment. Raffle tickets will be available during the event.
To learn more about the 2008 antique automobile raffle, please visit: http://www.franklingroveil.org/carrfl.htm.
Chaplin Creek Muzzleloaders
The Chaplin Creek Muzzleloaders are a group of local antique and historic gun collectors that call their home Chaplin Creek Village. They have developed a riffle range that is available to use as a member of their organization. They display their equipment during the Summer Harvest Festival for all to enjoy.
For information concerning the Chaplin Creek Muzzleloaders, including becoming a member, please write to us at muzzleloaders@chaplincreek.com or please call 815-498-2969.
Chaplin Creek Drafters
The Chaplin Creek Drafters are a group of local families who raise and collect various breeds of draft horses including Belgians, Haflingers, Mules, Norwegian Fjords, Percherons, Quarter horses and other draft breeds. Great friends of the Franklin Grove Area Historical Society, the Chaplin Creek Drafters conduct presentations with their their horses during the Summer Harvest Festival at Chaplin Creek Village. The Chaplin Creek Drafters can be seen during the Summer Harvest Festical on August 2nd & 3rd.
The Chaplin Creek Drafters have conducted presentations on cutting and raking hay, horse shoeing, harnessing and hitching. They also hold competitions in the log pull, obstacle course and farmers race. The Drafters are a very popular attraction during the Summer Harvest Festival at Chaplin Creek Village. We encourage other teamsters to come and participate.
For information concerning the Chaplin Creek Drafters, including becoming a member, please write to us at drafters@chaplincreek.com or contact Carol Bellows at at 815-732-2415 or Tyler and Dawn Schlickman at 815-645-2630.
duPage Valley Settlers
The duPage Valley Settlers is a group of Living History Interpreters who travel throughout the Midwest attending various festivals demonstrating how early settlers traveled and lived in the 1800’s. They specifically focus on a period of time centered on the 1830s, encompassing a period of time from about 1790 to 1850, concentrating on the settlement period of northern Illinois from about 1820 to the coming of the Railroad.
The duPage Valley Settlers has participated in the Historical Society’s Summer Harvest Festival several times and provides very historically interesting information about the 1800’s and are very entertaining as they interact with our visitors.
To learn more about the duPage Valley Settlers, please visit their web site at: www.dupagevalleysettlers.org.
Max and Donna Daniels
Max and Donna Daniels also known as "Abe and The Babe", have an extensive background in community theatre and have been portraying Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln professionally since 1988. They are past Vice-Presidents of the National Association of Lincoln Presenters and were named by the Association as the first recipients of its award for "Best Abraham and Mary Lincoln Team" in 1994.
They are popular attractions at Civil War Reenactments throughout the Midwest and make over 250 appearances each year for school, libraries, and other organizations. They take great pride in bringing history to life for audiences of all ages.
Max and Donna Daniels will be presenting at Chaplin Creek Village on Tuesday, July 8th at 7:00. For more information please please write to us at info@chaplincreek.com or call 815-990-5090.
To learn more about Max and Donna Daniels, please visit their web site at: www.abeandthebabe.com.
The PURE Gardener
The PURE Gardener is a loyal supporter of Chaplin Creek Village, providing support and valuable information about various heirloom flowers and vegatables.
The PURE Gardener is located at:
502 West State Street (Route 38)
Geneva, IL 60134
To learn more about The PURE Gardener, please visit their web site at: www.thepuregardener.com or call 630-232-2766.
