For more than 20 years, Garfield Farm Museum volunteers have worked to acquire and preserve the Mill Creek Prairie, a 31-acre parcel that includes one of Illinois’ few remaining never-plowed sedge meadows.
Now, thanks to a recently announced $18,000 grant from the Elgin-based Grand Victoria Foundation and several smaller year-end donations from individuals and organizations, the non-profit 1840s living history museum is close to realizing its dream.
According to Garfield Farm Executive Director Jerome M. Johnson, the Mill Creek Prairie Fund is about $172,000, $8,000 short of its goal.
While there is a possibility that the museum may get a grant from an unspecified agency to bridge the gap, Johnson said that tax-deductible contributions would be welcomed from area residents. Potential donors, whose names will be displayed on an honor roll, may call the museum at 630-584-8485 for more information.
Acquisition of the tall-grass prairie, which adjoins the Garfield Farm property, will establish the museum’s Campton Historic Agricultural Lands Inc. as the largest and oldest non-profit land preservation trust in Kane County, Johnson said. The property, once slated for sale and vulnerable to development, is being held for the museum until funds can be raised to purchase it.
Originally prized simply for its historic connection to the original farm established by early Kane County settlers, the parcel took on additional environmental value in 1985 when the rare prairie and sedge meadow were discovered during a survey by plant restoration experts.