Blackberry Farm is a living history museum on 54 scenic acres with a lake, ponds and a meandering stream. The grounds contain an arboretum with more than 200 varieties of trees, floral displays and historic agricultural gardens.
Blackberry Farm has five museums including the Carriage House, the Farm Museum, the Early Streets Museum and the Huntoon House. These contain an outstanding collection of late 19th century artifacts used in every facet of life. In the Carriage House, there are 40 carriages, sleighs and commercial vehicles. The Farm collection has many rare implements dating from the mid-1800s to 1910. The Streets Museum houses 11 late Victorian-era exhibit stores including a music shop, pharmacy, general store, photography shop and toy store.
Many period craft demonstrations bring Blackberry Farm to life. Visitors can watch demonstrations of blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, sewing and pottery, as well as visit a one room schoolhouse, an Aurora home from the 1840s, and a farm cabin. In each area, demonstrators depict activities and life of the bygone era.
Children and their parents will enjoy a ride on the restored miniature train to visit the pioneer cabin, where they can take an old-fashioned hay wagon ride along Blackberry Creek. Back at the village, they can ride the carousel or the ponies.
Food is available at the outdoor Summer Kitchen that overlooks a pond with a spraying fountain. Visitors may bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the picnic groves along the lake shore.
The Gift Shop, located in the town square, carries handcrafted textiles and pottery made in the park. Special orders are also taken.
Children: Resident: $3.75, Non-resident: $6
Adult: Resident: $4.25, Non-resident: $7
School Group Rates: Resident: $4, Non-resident: $5.50
Combo Blackberry Farm/Splash Country Rates: Resident: $8, Non-resident: $10
Check site for Season Passes.
The Nitty Gritty: We went here on a Saturday morning In October for the Trick or Treat Walk. There is plenty of free parking. Admission is charged. We paid a fee for the special event.
The fun: Where to begin? Costumed children were walking around the area stopping at every station for a little treat. There was even a costume parade and at the end prizes were awarded. After trick or treating, the whole park was open. We immediately went to check out there mini train ride that circled around the lake. We also went on a hay ride and carousel ride. The best part was that we could go on any ride as much as we wanted. Since it was October, I believe most of the activities/features of the Village weren't available.
Son's fav moment: Riding the train and the carousel
Parent's fav moment: Seeing all the cute kids in their costumes
Bottom Line: we would definitely come here again especilly in warm weather, even if it wasn't for the Trick or Treat Walk. They have other events and even a run I would like to check out.
Tip: During their normal season, it would be great to bring a lunch to eat outside.
BLackberry Farm is a great place to enjoy a few hours with the family. While not huge, it's large enough to have something for all ages to enjoy. Children learn all about how pioneers lived, worked and played. Don't be deterred by the weather in the winter! Every year they offer a few "Polar Express" weekends where the story is read, children can visit with Santa, and everyone can take a ride on the Farm's train, decked out in Polar Express fashion!
The city’s Fox Valley Park District operates the Blackberry Farm–Pioneer Village at West Galena Boulevard (US 30) and Barnes Road. Set on 54 acres of pastoral countryside, this place offers a glimpse of pioneer life of the 1840s.There’s a working farm, and on certain weekends you can also see people in period costumes shearing sheep, working in the blacksmith shop, or making craft items. Visit the redbrick schoolhouse to hear a storyteller impart a folktale of the time. Kids can pet farm animals in the Discovery Barn. If your youngsters crave a bit more action, they can whirl around on a beautifully decorated old fashioned carousel, ride a real pony in the little corral, traverse the grounds in a horse-drawn open wagon, or board the miniature train.