By Ren MacDonald

Located in West Chicago, IL, Kline Creek Farm offers an authentic glimpse into 19th-century farming life. What was once a well-established dairy farm from the 1800s, Kline Creek Farm has now become an invaluable educational resource, drawing visitors from near and far to experience the traditions of farming. They play a unique role in showcasing historical farming practices that have shaped agriculture while giving a glimpse into the life of an average farmer at the time. By engaging in the many experiences Kline Creek Farm has to offer, visitors can learn and appreciate the rich history of farming.

From a Cabin to Lasting Legacy

Kline Creek Farm’s roots run deep in the history of DuPage County. In the 1800s, most properties in the county were farms owned by individual families, and by the 1880s there were around 1,600 farms. One of these farming families was the Klines. What started as a dug-out home in 1836 grew into a 200-acre farm by the 1890s. The Kline’s farm was one of the major dairy producers in the area during this time and sold a large portion of their milk to the Winfield Creamery. With the introduction of the railroad, they were able to distribute their dairy products on a much larger scale to surrounding towns and Chicago. The farm also grew cash crops like corn, oats, and wheat for farm use and profits.

The Kline’s farm remained within the family and continued to function as an agricultural farm until 1968, when the DuPage County Forest Preserve purchased the land. During this period, many farms were converted into forest preserves. However, the County made the important decision to transform the Kline’s farm into a living history experience. Klien Creek Farm now serves the significant role of preserving the legacies of DuPage County farms and farming families.

Today, Kline Creek Farm attracts around 70,000 visitors each year, offering the public a unique opportunity to explore the history of farming. School groups regularly visit for guided tours tailored to age-appropriate themes. Visitors can learn from a variety of engaging demonstrations, such as plowing with the farm’s Percheron Draft Horses and traditional corn shucking. The immersive experience offers something for everyone, with seasonal events like the Ice Harvest, Lambing and Calving seasons, Maple Sugaring, and Corn and Potato Harvests which provide opportunities for hands-on learning throughout the year.

The Farmhouse

The Farmhouse Tour

One of the main attractions at Kline Creek Farm is the guided Farmhouse tour. Offered at the top of the hour from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., these tours allow visitors to step directly into the daily life of a farmer in the 1800s. The Farmhouse, one of the three original buildings on the property, underwent restoration from 1985 to 1989 to accurately represent its state in the 1890s. Period-correct furnishings and artifacts reflecting the everyday life of the Kline family fill the home, and the tour highlights the essential functions of each item and living space.

The journey begins in the kitchen, where a pump draws fresh water from a cistern that holds collected rainwater and melted snow. This water was primarily used for laundry, dishes, and baths. The farm’s second water source, a windmill-powered well, provided fresh water for drinking and cooling milk.

The tour’s seasonal highlight in February was “How to Cure a Cold in the 1890s”, which featured a sick tray that hosted a variety of cold cures. Having a sick family member on the farm meant one less set of helping hands, so great care went into tending to the ill. Remedies like gelatinous chicken broth, Slippery Elm Bark tea, and Flaxseed lemonade were common treatments during this time. The sick tray also featured an invalid feeder which functioned as a pitcher to transfer nutrients to the sick.

As visitors continue the tour, they will encounter other items that helped sustain the family throughout the year. The pantry is stocked with canned foods from the summer harvest, preserved to get the family through the frigid winter months. The stove serves as the heart of the house, where the family would gather to spend time together and stay warm.

The first-floor bedroom had a small stove and was the only heated room, typically used by the sick, elderly, or guests. This common room made it much easier to take care of the ill, equipped with chamber pots and metal bed frames which were easy to sanitize.

Amy standing in the from room parlor

Afternoon calling took place from 3:30 to 5:30 P.M. in the front room parlor and was a time to engage in community and relationship. Farms in the 1800s typically ranged from 50 to 300 acres, so visiting with neighbors was a common practice to maintain social connections. These interactions helped foster a sense of community and support, which was essential given the rural, isolated lifestyle of the time.

From practical household items to understanding the function of different living areas, the Farmhouse tour allows visitors to appreciate the ways in which the Kline family navigated rural life. This wonderful tour through household history is just one of the many ways the farm preserves and shares the past.

Programs that Preserve

One of the standout programs of Kline Creek Farm today is its Heritage Livestock Breeding Program, which is committed to preserving rare heritage breeds. Lisa Carpenter, the farm’s Historical Farming Program Supervisor, is at the helm of these efforts. Lisa has worked at the farm for seven years and brings a wealth of knowledge from her own farming background and a passion for historical farming practices.

The Heritage Livestock Breeding Program is dedicated to preserving two livestock breeds that were prevalent in the Midwest during the 1800s but are now considered rare: Cotswold Sheep and Milking Shorthorn Cattle. These animals are not only integral to the farm’s historical demonstrations and period accuracy but also play a critical role in preserving genetic diversity in livestock populations. Lisa explained that today’s livestock industry has become increasingly monocultural, with many breeds facing genetic narrowing. By focusing on breeding heritage breeds, Kline Creek Farm contributes to the preservation of genetic material that is vital for maintaining biodiversity within the farming industry.

Pregnant Shorthorn Milking Cattle

Cotswold Sheep with their full coats of wool

 Additionally, the breeding programs are an excellent educational resource for visitors. With the current birthing season underway, the public can see the calves and lambs after birth. Caring for the heritage livestock also highlights the need for the many functional structures on the farm. Cow milking demonstrations are held from March through September in the lower portion of the original Bank Barn using the stanchions. Right outside the barn, the windmill pumps water into the Milkhouse. In the past, this water would fill a cooling tank with ice to preserve the harvested milk before its distribution. Visitors are welcome to watch sheep shearing, which takes place 6-8 weeks before lambing and also on April 6^th. By seeing these animals firsthand and learning about their care, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and rewards of keeping livestock in the 1800s.

There is much to learn and appreciate about the immersive world that is Klien Creek Farm. Through its carefully preserved and historically reproduced structures, engaging demonstrations, and many educational programs, the farm not only showcases the practices of 19^th-century farming but also highlights the importance of preserving the legacy of farming for future generations. If you have never had the chance to experience the charm of Kline Creek Farm, I wholeheartedly recommend paying a visit to this treasure of DuPage County.

A special thank you to Lisa Carpenter, Historical Farming Program Supervisor, for sharing her knowledge and insights on Kline Creek Farm.