On Sunday, August 5, from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., families are invited to the historic Ellwood House Museum campus to enjoy a fun-filled day of art, music, history, gardens, and hands-on activities at the Ellwood Summer Festival.
Kids can enjoy a variety of free programs throughout the day, including hands-on art activities presented by KVAL (Kishwaukee Valley Art League). The art activities, featuring an ‘Under the Sea’ theme, will take place near the 1891 Little House. At the south end of the museum campus, a transportation exhibit and activity will feature historic vehicles including carriages from the Ellwood House collection and an antique fire truck from the DeKalb Fire Department.
Inside the Visitor Center, The DeKalb Area Garden Club will present a free exhibit and help kids create their own mini terrariums. Artwork by KVAL members will also be on display in the Visitor Center, and several KVAL artists will be painting in the gardens and on the grounds throughout the event.
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First-floor historic house tours will run every 30 minutes from 12:30 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. A ticket ($8 for adults and $3 for youth) includes a guided first-floor tour of the Ellwood Mansion and a self-guided first-floor tour of the Ellwood-Nehring House. All tours start inside the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center exhibit galleries and the Little House will be open for viewing at no additional charge from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
At 1:00 P.M., world music sextet, Projeto Arcomusical, will present a unique live performance featuring the berimbau, an Afro-Brazilian bow instrument. The performance will take place north of the Visitor Center.
The DeKalb Municipal Band will present its annual Ellwood House concert on the mansion terrace at 2:30 P.M., featuring vocalist Karen Manley-Kahler. Visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the performances. Live music at the Ellwood Summer Festival is supported by the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund. Food will be for sale by Boy Scout Troop 33 and DeKalb Papa John’s throughout the event.
The Ellwood Summer Festival is sponsored by Service Master Restoration/Cleaning Services by Skip, Friends of the Jerry L. Johns Literacy Clinic at Northern Illinois University, and Papa John’s of DeKalb.
Onsite parking at the Ellwood House Museum is limited. Please utilize legal street parking near the museum and public parking lots. Parking is also available in the lot of the First United Congregational Church, located at 615 N. First Street. Follow the limestone path through the woods to the Ellwood House or walk along the sidewalk on First Street. The Ellwood House is located at 509 N. First Street in DeKalb. For more information please visit www.ellwoodhouse.org or call 815-756-4609.
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