Durant House and Sholes School

08/24/2026

RED SCHOOL HOUSE

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION!
Sunday, August 30, 12-3PM
48W445 Hinckley Road, Big Rock

Celebrate the opening of the restored red one-room schoolhouse in Big Rock. There will be tours of the house, kids games, face painting, bake sale, book sale, 50/50 raffle, and music.

Congratulations to the Big Rock Historic Society!

08/21/2026

Be sure to stop by the Garfield Farm Museum 34th annual Heirloom Garden Show next Sunday!

On Sunday August 30, from 11 am - 4 pm, the 34th Heirloom Garden Show will be held at Garfield Farm & Tavern Museum. The show features the gardens and prairie of the museum and growers of historic varieties of produce.

As the show celebrates heirloom varieties and genetic diversity, the small local farm movement plays an essential role in preserving agricultural knowledge, supporting local food systems, and caring for the land. Invitations have been extended to local producers to broaden our visitors' awareness of such local resources.

Last minute exhibitors are welcome and should contact the museum. There is no fee for exhibitors as the event is an educational show.

08/15/2026

🍞🍞🍞 YUM!

08/13/2026

Baking bread and churning butter were done weekly, sometimes daily, and were essential for any farm family, not only fulfilling the family’s needs but also for bartering.

Visitors will be able to help in the process of churning cream into butter and get a chance to see old butter molds and stamps on display.

The one-room schoolhouse will be open where your family can learn the wonderful world of “Memory Gems.” These short poems social values (of the day), morals, and healthy practices. We encourage you to memorize one or two before you leave!

$3 for adults/$1 for kids for these hands-on history programs are appreciated.

Forest Preserve District of Kane County

08/11/2026

Churn up some family fun!

08/09/2026

Try out our butter churn.

See demonstrations on making bread.

Tastes optional 😄

$3/adult; $1/child suggested donation.

07/24/2026

🥒 Sunday, July 26, 1-4pm 🥒

07/23/2026

PICKLE PALOOZA!🥒

Make and take home your own jar of pickles (while supplies last).

FREE - donations appreciated.

Sunday, July 26 1-4pm
Durant-Peterson House and Sholes School Museums
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean Street, St. Charles

Forest Preserve District of Kane County

07/21/2026

🥒LET'S GO PICKLING!!!

☀ Sunday, July 26 1-4pm

Make your own pickles like the Durant family did back in the 1840s. We provide the cucumbers, dill, brine, and jars. Your family cuts the cucumbers and adds dill. Put the jar in your fridge for a week (or more), and your family has delicious pickles to enjoy!

FREE - donations appreciated.

Durant-Peterson House and Sholes School Museums
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean Street, St. Charles

07/19/2026

Love pickles?

Visit the Durant-Peterson House and Sholes School to make a jar of pickles for your family under the guidance of our experienced, costumed docents!

There is no cost, but donations of $3/adult and $1/child are appreciated.