Wagon Tours, Family Events Held This Week By the DuPage Forest Preserve

For more information on the many programs and places of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, call 630-933-7200, or visit dupageforest.org.

Monday, July 9
Children’s Farm Chores — Kids, learn firsthand how 1890s children helped around the house and farm. On Mondays, help with mom’s chores; on Thursdays, dad’s. 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Children’s Story Hour — Spread a blanket on the ground, and enjoy an hour of popular children’s stories from the 1890s. 10 – 11 a.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Tuesday, July 10
Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday — Help the District’s Habitat Improvement Program by lending a hand at the nursery. Weed and water plant beds, or collect and clean seed. 8 – 11 a.m. at the Grounds and Resources Complex at Blackwell Forest Preserve, 29W220 Mack Road in West Chicago. Ages 12 and up; under 16 with an adult. Free. To register, call 630-933-7681 at least five business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance.

Wednesday, July 11
Covered-Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. All ages. $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 ages 55 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Thursday, July 12
Children’s Farm Chores — Kids, learn firsthand how 1890s children helped around the house and farm. On Mondays, help with mom’s chores; on Thursdays, dad’s. 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Saturday, July 14
Blacksmithing Demonstrations — Stop by the wagon shed to see the blacksmith repair equipment and demonstrate the tools and techniques of the trade. Demonstrations ongoing. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

Bookbinding Workshop — Learn to construct simple book structures to use with journals, sketchbooks and small photo albums. 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook. Adults only. $40 per person. To register, call 630-206-9566.

Covered-Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. All ages. $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 ages 55 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

St. James Farm Caboose Tours — Take a 30- to 45-minute tour of the 1906 Chicago Burlington & Quincy caboose. Learn about the history of the CA&E Railroad, its connection to St. James Farm and the life of the conductor and brakeman. Tours begin on the hour 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $2 per person ages 13 and up; $1 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Volunteer Restoration Workday — Help restore a natural area by removing nonnative vegetation or collecting seed. Two sessions: 8 – 10:30 a.m. at Lyman Woods Forest Preserve, 901 31st St. in Downers Grove. 9 a.m. – noon at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville on Plainfield-Naperville Road one-half mile south of 75th Street. Ages 8 and up; under 14 with an adult. Free. To register, call
630-933-7681 at least five business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance.

Sunday, July 15
Covered-Wagon Tours — Enjoy a 30-minute guided wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. All ages. $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 ages 55 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.

Meet the Beekeepers — Learn about beekeeping equipment and the important role that bees serve in our food supply. Ask the beekeepers your questions about honey and bees. Demonstrations ongoing.
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call 630-876-5900.

St. James Farm Caboose Tours — Take a 30- to 45-minute tour of the 1906 Chicago Burlington & Quincy caboose. Learn about the history of the CA&E Railroad, its connection to St. James Farm and the life of the conductor and brakeman. Tours begin on the hour 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville at Madison Street and Hoy Avenue. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $2 per person ages 13 and up; $1 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call 630-933-7248.