By DEBORAH BEHRENDS
Illinois Correspondent

GENOA, Ill. — History buffs had a great opportunity to step back in time on Aug. 30, during Pioneer Day at Genoa’s Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Museum.

With the help of a legion of volunteers, the Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society demonstrated a variety of historical-related activities, including Civil War re-enactments, cowboy quick draw contests, craft-making demonstrations and stagecoach rides. Attendees also were welcome to tour the museum and have their picture taken in a caboose in front of the museum.

“There’s a lot of activities going on,” said Sandy Lyon, of the society. “One of the biggest draws is the caboose. A lot of adults like to come and talk about the caboose.”

With the help of volunteers Roger Watson and his brother, Ed, both of Genoa, kids also had an opportunity to twist their own rope. Using bailing twine, they twisted several strands together, pulling them tight to create a strong length of rope.

“Pull it tight,” Roger Watson explained as he and Ed pulled the ends. “Feel it lock in?” he asked.

Roger Watson, also, was the builder of the small schoolhouse on the museum grounds. Originally approached by the local branch of Resource Bank to build a schoolhouse for the bank’s parade float, Watson declined the bank’s suggestion to build it from cardboard.
“If I’m going to build it, it’s going to last a hundred years,” Watson told bank staff.

He constructed the house with the floor from a one-room schoolhouse near Lee, Ill., and salesman sample windows. He also designed the replica on steel channels to be picked up easily by a forklift.

Civil War unit
Only one of three replica working Civil War forges was on hand for the event. Blacksmith Richard Furlough of Kirkland, Ill., said the other two are run by motors.

“It kind of ruins the illusion when you hear a motor kick on,” Furlough said.

He explained the mobile forges traveled with units. He indicated spaces under the firebox and in a second wagon where craftsmen carried hundreds of horseshoes and two wagon-wheel halves.
“They could repair anything made of metal,” he said.

The Furloughs belong to a local re-enactment unit, Battery G, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, based in Stillman Valley, Ill.

Along with a fun event for the whole family, the society hosted a silent auction featuring antiques, quilts, homemade crafts and pottery items. Lyon said many residents participate in the Pioneer Day silent auction every year. The proceeds from this year’s auction will be used to help restore the caboose.

“It’s a huge draw,” Lyon said. “A lot of people like to come and do their Christmas shopping there.”

Lyon said Pioneer Day is well attended every year, and cooler weather this year brought out a large number of visitors. She said the event attracts people of all ages.

“It’s always well attended. It’s a family event for the area,” Lyon said. “Generations of family members come every year.
Adults who came when they were kids are bringing their children.”