It was all about the barn.
The oversized, well-worn structure that greets visitors to Buckley Homestead is officially one century old.
And the Lake Co. Parks Department, which owns the property, recently celebrated with a public, two-day, jam-packed event, Cheers to 100 Years.
“I never heard of a birthday party for a barn,” said six-year-old Hammond resident Jimmie Leaf with a laugh. “They said we will have cake and see animals, so I guess I’ll have a good time.”
Despite the hot, muggy weather during both days of the event, dozens of families braved the heat index to hear stories of life in the early 1900s, peruse wares from vendors and tour the old barn.
Re-enactors dressed in historical garments discussed the century-long history of the barn.
The plank-and-truss, “bank style” wooden structure, built in 1916 to replace one built in 1913 that had burned down, has withstood the test of time and still is functional.
The Buckley farm’s animals are housed in a portion of the barn, and the parks department offers many events, classes and programs there throughout the year.
Linda Jackson, of Crown Point, remembers bringing her son’s Boy Scout troop for a field trip to the homestead a few years ago.
“Some of them had never seen a farm, so it was an eye-opener for them,” she said. “The kids still talk about it, especially the spacious barn and animals.”
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The current barn was constructed by the Buckley family the same year Mrs. Buckley wanted a kitchen added to the main house, according to Megan Faulkner, Lake County Parks volunteer coordinator.
“We’re lucky to have had this barn for 100 years,” Faulkner said. “Mr. Buckley was kind enough to build this structure that also will serve future generations.
Music performances were offered throughout the day, compliments of Tom Bohling of Burnham, Illinois and Will Fought of Midlothian, Illinois.
The barn’s birthday party event offered several lessons to young people, according to Bohling, including showing that all food did not come form the grocery story in 1916.
“Some people don’t know what a farm looks like — or what it took to keep it running,” Bohling said. “When you visit here, you see the reality of farm life and realize there were many hard times.”
Erica Mehal, of Crown Point, attended the party with her children Michael 2, and Quinn 9, as well as six additional relatives.
The barn tour was a highlight for the family.
“The adults are getting lessons as well as the kids,” Mehal said as inside the barn. “It’s all so interesting.”
The two-day event also offered an evening celebration for those over 21 years old.
The Buckley Brew, a program sponsored by Route 2 Brews, of Lowell, was designed for this History on Tap event.
Performing was the Tom Stober Band, featuring Tomiko Dixon, granddaughter of historic blues legend Willie Dixon.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.