Postville Courthouse to host 1800's Craft Fair during art and balloon fest

[August 09, 2008]  The annual 1800's Craft Fair at Postville Courthouse State Historic Site, 914 Fifth St., will be on Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors to the grounds of the historic courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law can take a step back in time and enjoy the talents and skills that have been handed down from many generations before ours. There is no admission charge.

Many crafters will be present, including rug hooking, rope making, spinner-weaving, quilters, blacksmithing, broom making, cabinetmaking, coopering, wool dyeing, candle dipping, paper marbleizing, chair making, an herbalist, an 1840s buckskinner, a live honeybee display and other 19th-century activities. A big wood lathe will also be on the grounds. Also featured this year are hand-painted Russian nesting dolls by Natalia Pagmoni.

Lincoln impersonator Greg Bergschneider will be on hand for the festivities, interpreting Lincoln in his early years as a prairie lawyer.

Period music all day will be provided by the Postville Express, Chris Vallillo, Prairie Aires, Dale Evans, Steve Staley and Mark Mathewson, and others.

Courthouse tours will be conducted throughout the day. There is no charge for the tours, but donations are accepted.

There will be a welcome tent and memorabilia, and some crafters will sell their wares. Food will also be available on the grounds. This site has lots of shade trees. The event is on the same weekend as the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival.

Postville Courthouse is an Illinois State Historic Site and is run by a team of over 40 dedicated volunteers, headed up by volunteer coordinator Shirley Bartelmay. The site was recently designated as an official "Route 66 Roadside Attraction."

For more information, call 217-737-0979 or 217-735-4977, or visit www.postvillecourthouse.com.

[Text from file received from Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County]