The Callumic Band of Great Lakes Woodland Alliance sets up camp in the Buckley Homestead back 80 acres, just southeast of the pioneer farm.  Follow the pathway behind the cabin.  See descriptions below.

• March 28 & 29: 1750 Maple Sugaring Camp, weather permitting (see information below)

• May 23 & 24:  Arts of the Woodlands

• June 6 & 7:  A Day in the Village

• June 13 & 14: Children's Woodland Indian Weekend

• July 11 & 12:  Arts of the Woodlands

• July 18 & 19:  Music of the Woodlands

• August 15 & 16:  Woodland Lifeways

• October 3 & 4:  Fall Festival "Lifeways of the Woodland Indiana"  Guided village tours at noon and 3 p.m.

• October 24 & 25:  Preparing for Winter

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Maple Sugaring in the Woodland Indian camp

Buckley Homestead

March 28 & 29            10 a.m. - 4 p.m.           Free

“If they [the Indians] are pressed by thirst, they get juice from trees and distil a sweet and very agreeable liquid, which I have tasted several times.”  First known account of maple sugaring. Marc Lescarbot, Histoire de la nouvelle France, 1609.

Maple sugaring has been an early spring tradition since the Eastern Woodland Indians discovered that maple sap cooked over an open fire produces a sweet sugar. Maple sugar was the sole source of sweetener in early America, as cane sugar was not introduced here until the 1800’s. Most likely, Indians discovered the sweetness of the maple tree by eating the icicles of frozen maple sap that form from the end of a broken twig.

As winter started to turn into spring, and the days got longer and warmer, the Native American Indians would move their whole families into a spot in the forest where there were plentiful sugar maple trees. There they would establish "sugar camps" for the month or so that the maple sap would flow. Sugar making -- ishkwaamizige in Ojibwe -- happened for several weeks during zhwigun, spring. Large amounts were made during the few weeks each spring when the maple sap ran. Maple sugar was so important that it gave its name to the month when sugaring took place: Izhkigamisegi Geezis, the Moon (month) of boiling.

See the mixed implements of the fur trade era-some native, some European trade items- used to make sugar over the open fire. Weather permitting, tour the communal wigiwamamagad (big lodge) used during sugaring time. Watch as traditional foods are cooked and seasoned with sweet, freshly made sisibakwat. This is an ideal program to attend after you have visited Deep River for the annual Maple Syrup Time held the two weekends prior. 

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For registration please call 219-769-PARK  

Threshing Day

Sunday, July 26, 2009            Noon - 4 p.m.         FREE

It’s summer harvest time; a time when volunteer farmers pitch bundles into the threshing machine and the speltz is separated from the chaff.  The result is a golden spray of straw coming from one end of the giant thresher and a spray of speltz from the other end, filling an old wooden wagon. 

What is speltz?  It’s a subspecies of common wheat, but it’s more hardy and doesn’t require fertilizers.  This organic farming is perfect for the historic farm at Buckley.

Threshing was a community task, since in many areas there was only one thresher.  Historically, men and boys alike went from one farm to another and all worked together to harvest the grain.  After completing this arduous task, the farmers were rewarded with a threshing meal cooked by the wives.  While the men are in the field, you can visit the ladies in the buildings as they cook the meal.  Don’t miss this opportunity to see history in action and meet some farmers who remember threshing wheat when they were children in the early 1900's.  

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Preparing for Winter on Buckley Homestead

October 24 & 25, 2009          Noon. - 5 p.m.

$2 for adults, $1 children under 12 and seniors over 60

Settlers preparing for the coming winter months stored many kinds of fruit and vegetables in the root cellar at the turn-of-the-century. How do apples & eggs last all winter long? Did you know that hens stop laying eggs once the day light hours shortened? Meat also had to be butchered and stored. Butchering, grinding and sausage making will be explained and demonstrated. Come see how it all is done at the Buckley Homestead.

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Historic Group Tours - Indiana History from 1850-1917

• Dates available: May 1 through June 15 and September 1 through October 31

• Two-hour tours

• Morning tours may be booked to start at 9 a.m. or 9:30 a.m.

• Afternoon tours may be booked to start at 11:30 a.m. or noon

• $1 per person, including teachers and chaperones; $20 minimum per group

• Reservations and pre-payment required at least ten days in advance by calling 219-769-7275

Tour Description:  This tour is designed to enhance Indiana history taught in the 4^th grade. It can be adjusted to fit the needs of younger grades, but is not recommended for Kindergarten or Pre-school groups.

Students will divided into groups of not more than 30 students each. (Schools with larger groups can be accommodated if chaperones remain outside of buildings.) Students will visit each of three different sites; the 1910s farm, the 1900 one-room schoolhouse, and the 1850 log cabin. Interpreters are dressed in historically accurate clothing to add to the visual comprehension.

On the farm, the interpreter asks, "What do you see and why is it here?" From the animals, to the buildings, to the pastures and gardens, there is much to see and understand about subsistence living. Animals on the farm include chickens, geese, rabbits, sheep, cows, pigs, horses, and cats.

In the schoolhouse, children will learn what a school day was like at the turn of the 20^th century. They will be asked to compare and contrast their school with Buckley’s. They will notice similarities and differences in the building, the teacher, and the curriculum. Many things have changed, and yet, some things we do today are derived from our early agrarian days.

At the cabin, children will be asked to imagine moving here before the Civil War. What did they need to survive? What was their priority once they got here? Students will be asked to compare and contrast living in their modern home with living in the 1850 Buckley cabin.

The path is just under one mile of gravel and bark chip trail. Students will be outside much of the time and should dress for the weather. If a teacher has a student in a wheelchair or other special needs, it should be disclosed at the time of the reservation. Arrangements will be made to make the tour as accessible as possible.  

Picnic shelters are available for lunch.  

Buckley Homestead - Enjoy the quiet, steady pace of the horses as they pull the hay wagon around the back 80 acre trail. Look for pheasant, deer, and coyote as you travel through the wooded areas and open fields past the pioneer log cabin. Individuals and families may ride on a first-come, first-serve basis on Saturdays and Sundays, September 20 through October 31, 2009 (except October 3 & 4 during the Fall Festival) at 1 and 2 p.m. for only $3 per person. Remember: Groups may reserve evening hayrides by calling the business office at 219-769-PARK.

Deep River - Take a ride over the river and through the woods along the trails of Deep River. Individuals and families may ride on a first-come, first-serve basis on Saturdays and Sundays, October 3 - 25, 2009 at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. for only $3 per person. Groups may reserve evening hayrides by calling the business office at 219-769-PARK.

BUCKLEY 5 MILER WALK AND RUN

• Buckley Homestead

• Saturday, July 25, 2009

• 6 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. Registration and check in
• 7:30 a.m. Race Start
• Call the Lowell Park Department at 219-696-1570 for information or pre-registration

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Legend of Sleepy Hollow

2009 TICKETS GO ON SALE AT DEEP RIVER WATERPARK ON 

Dates:

• Friday, September 11, 2009              

• Saturday, September 12, 2009          

• Friday, September 18, 2009              

• Saturday, September 19, 2009

Tickets:

• $7 per person (one person may purchase up to 15 tickets)

Sales Date:

• Opening day ticket sales Wednesday, August 26 (in person sales only) from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.  After that  time, remaining tickets may be purchased at the corporate office or by phone at  219-769-PARK  M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  REMINDER:  Tickets sell out quickly and may be sold out the first day.

Sales Location:

• Deep River Waterpark, 9001 E. U.S. 30 in Merrillville (4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30, just east of the Lake County Parks Corporate Office).

For four magical nights, Buckley Homestead is transformed into Tarrytown, NY, a quiet, dreamy little village known to many as Sleepy Hollow.  The village abounds with stories and superstitions, the most famous of which is of a Hessian soldier who lost his head in the war and rides each night in search of a new one.  Perhaps you’ve heard of the Headless Horseman?

Visitors will walk with a guide through Sleepy Hollow as they meet and interact with the town folk in search for Ichabod Crane, the one person who can tell them all about the stories of this quaint village.  You become part of the storybook scenes, but be careful! There’s no telling what may cross your path in the night besides the occasional black cat. It may be the Headless Horseman himself! This program is a great way to experience the excitement of classic literature coming to life.  The walking tour is about a mile long on a primitive trail.  Important:  For safety reasons, no flash photography and no smoking is permitted during the program.  Tour times are in the evenings at 6:50, 7:10, 7:30, 7:50, 8:10, 8:30, 8:50, 9:10, 9:30.  On the second weekend, there is also a 6:30 tour.

The program is outdoors and requires walking a bark chip trail lit by luminaries. It has proven a challenge for those who have walking difficulties. Visitors should dress for the weather and arrive on time. Group size is limited and tickets for this magical event go very quickly. All tours begin promptly at their scheduled time and last about one hour. If you get to the park after your tour has begun you will not be able to join your tour.

Lanterns will light your way during the night program, but dress for the weather and be ready to walk. Remember, be prepared for the "unexpected" . . .

Bring the family and friends to a day of fun, great food and some of the best entertainment in all of Northwest Indiana. 

Entertainment for all -- Always a pleasure, the good Dr. and Mrs. Quackenbush return with their quick wit and slight-of-hand.  The every popular Coles County Regulators Cowboys shoot it out at the Buckley corral and roam the countryside looking for bad guys.  Susan and Gary Brown entertain with old-fashioned music and dancing at the pioneer farm.  Are you feeling lucky?  Figure out who's lying and who is telling the truth at the "Liar's Bench."

Traditional Crafts and Demonstrations -- Wood crafters, china painters, spinners, quilters, weavers, and a broom maker, along with others, will demonstrate their skills and sell their wares. The farmers will be in the west pasture and Lake County Master Gardeners will be in the garden.

Old-fashioned fun for young and old -- Sheep Toss, Frying Pan Toss and Rolling Pin Toss.  Hands-on activities for the kids like rope-making, candle dipping, and more.  Save your memories of your Buckley visit when you get your photo taken in historic costumes.

Games for children - sticks, cat & mouse, bone dice and more.

Great Treats -- Come hungry and eat often. We have ham & bean soup, chicken noodles, steak sandwiches, baked potatoes with everything, apple dumplings, kettle corn, Indian fry bread, and more.

Lots More – Take a hayride ($1 per person for the hayride shuttle around the farm), make a candle or a piece of rope, walk on stilts, jump in a straw pile, visit the museum, learn about the root cellar, and more. The barnyard is filled with activity and most of the animals are in the pasture. Farmers take the opportunity to get the thresher and corn binding machine working. Taste a sample of freshly baked cornbread cooked in the wood-burning stove at the hired hands house. Watch as soap is made in the carriage house or take the hayride shuttle around the historic areas of the park for only $1 per person. Get off the wagon at the pioneer farm and schoolhouse and catch the next shuttle back to the barnyard.

Corn Maze – The corn maze, east of the parking lot, is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. (everyone needs to be out of the maze by 5 p.m. so give yourself ample time).  A separate fee is charged for the maze. See information elsewhere on this web page.  

Historical Buildings – Buckley Homestead Museum; Pioneer Log House; One-room schoolhouse; Hired Hands Quarters; Buckley Barn

Please note that pets, including dogs, are not permitted at this special event or in the corn maze. 

For more information, please call 219-769-PARK 

Old Time and Traditional Craftsmen should call 219-947-7275 if interested in a booth. 

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Located east of the Visitor Center

The labyrinth is not a maze, but instead an elliptical winding path in the form of the Classical 7-Circuit pattern. The two-foot pathway goes into the center and back out so there are no dead ends and no decisions to be made. When you walk the labyrinth, you meander back and forth, turning 180 degrees each time you enter a different section.

Why walk a labyrinth? Many people use the labyrinth for reflection, meditation, inspiration, and comfort. Some use the walk for clearing the mind. Others enter with a question or concern. Each person's walk is a personal experience. But, the experience should be free and open. Don't be afraid to dance, skip, run, walk very slowly, or even stop. School children during their daytime tours may experience the labyrinth joyfully. Other visitors may choose the quiet dawn and late afternoon hours to experience a calming effect.

Labyrinths have been around for more than 4,000 years and have been found in just about every major culture around the world. The Hopi called the labyrinth the symbol for "mother earth." The Buckley labyrinth, located just east of the visitor center, is a path designed from two levels of grass covering about 60 feet in diameter. There is no cost to walk the labyrinth which is available spring through fall or when ground cover permits.

Pioneer Day Hands-On Experience 2009

This daylong experiential educational program is guaranteed to create memories for years to come.  Students learn about life during the early settlement period of southern Lake County.  They learn about chores, recreation, school work, and challenges of life during 19^th century.

Students prepare their own dinner, recite lessons, learn spelling words and tongue twisters, and make a craft item to take home. 

Available Dates:        April 1, 3, 6, 8*, 15, 17, 20, 22, or 24, 2009

Time:                          9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (please arrive at 8:45 a.m.).  It is important that groups are on time. 

Age:                            Recommended for 4th and/or 5th graders.  Not appropriate for younger than 2^nd grade.

Capacity:                     120 people (include adult chaperones in this count).  Minimum number per individual school is 30 students.  School groups are combined to fill to the capacity.  Groups are further divided into four activity areas and rotated throughout the day.

Cost:                            $5.00 per person (include students, chaperones, & teachers)

$50 deposit required at time of reservation, balance due in full at the park site.

Reservations:              Taken beginning Wednesday, December 3, 2008.  Call the Lake County Parks at 219-769-PARK.  Reservations are open until filled or March 15, 2009.      .

Payment/Deposit:        Staff and volunteers are assigned after reservations are processed.  Without advance payment, assignments cannot be made.

*April 8 is devoted to home school and smaller groups that cannot meet the minimum number.  All groups will be combined to meet the capacity number.

We recommend schools arrange for PLENTY of chaperones and remind everyone to dress according to weather conditions.  We will be prepared to continue with the program rain or shine, except during major thunderstorms.  Schools are required to furnish certain supplies.  A list of instructions, activities, and a schedule will be mailed to the school upon registration. 

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Volunteer Costume Sewing Days

The Sewing Parlor “Behind the Scenes” Costume Development

Buckley Homestead

Wednesdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in January and February

Bring your sewing machine and lunch. If you don’t have a sewing machine, just bring a lunch and a willingness to lend a hand.  The maintenance barn on the farm is turned into a Sewing Parlor during the winter months of January and February. Join us in preparing for the upcoming season when we make hats and costumes for our living history farm and other programs.  Can’t sew?  Can you iron or pin fabric?  We need you.  The days are filled with laughter and good will.  The costumes we make are used on the site for volunteers.  So take your calendar and mark off Wednesdays at Buckley Homestead to make costumes.  Please let us know you are coming.  Call Megan at 219-947-7275 or Becky at 219-696-0769.

Page updated February 8, 2009