Postville Courthouse to again host 1800s Craft Fair

[August 17, 2011]  The annual 1800s Craft Fair at Postville Courthouse State Historic Site, 914 Fifth St. in Lincoln, will be on Aug. 28 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. 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 honey bee display and other 19th-century activities.

Gary and Carole Simpkins, Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln interpreters, will be on hand for the festivities.

Paul Gleason, Logan County historian, will give presentations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the Civil War. Bob Church will give presentations in the upstairs courtroom at noon and 2 p.m. on Abe Lincoln as surveyor.

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

The day will also will include railsplitting demonstrations by the Logan Railsplitting Association.

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

Postville Courthouse is an Illinois State Historic Site and is run by a team of over 40 dedicated volunteers. The site was recently designated as an official Route 66 Roadside Attraction.

For more information, call 217-732-8687 or visit www.postvillecourthouse.com.

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