Spring Valley: like a visit to the 19th century
Chicago is famous for its world-class museums, featuring fossils and relics from the past. But Schaumburg’s Spring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm is bringing the past to life, just 45 minutes from downtown.
The 135-acre habitat shows how Chicagoans lived in the 19th century and includes a working farm, log cabin and preserved natural habitats.
Visitors to Spring Valley can begin at the Vera Meineke Nature Center, an education facility housing exhibits, a natural history library and a "Backyard for Wildlife "display featuring indigenous animals. From there, guests can explore a variety of trails leading throughout the property, passing through prairies, wetlands, woodlands and streams.
Along the way, visitors can stop by the Merkle Log Cabin, view history exhibits and enjoy warm drinks by the open-hearth fireplace. Situated amidst pine and spruce trees and next to a scenic pond, the cabin is a great spot to explore and unwind.
Next is the Volkening Heritage Farm, an 1880s German-American living-history farm that recreates conditions from a century ago. Children can help milk cows, learn to do laundry by hand, even help guides make homemade pretzels from scratch in the wood-burning stove of the old farmhouse.
Adults will enjoy exploring the historic home (dated to 1852), complete with period furniture and fixtures. An outhouse, smokehouse, fruit orchard, chicken coop, tool house, windmill, corn crib and hog house are also open to visitors.
Guests can watch Spring Valley employees tend to livestock, horses, and even a family of geese residing on the property. Many employees and volunteers dress in period costume to lend authenticity to the farm, and it’s a magical effect for visitors of all ages.
While downtown museums get most of the attention, Spring Valley is a great spot to see history really come to life. With beautiful trails, hands-on attractions and free admission, this is an ideal destination for visitors both young and old.
- by D.J. Siegel, Chicago Reporter for HelloMetro
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