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skiing, sledding, the HI-Tower Bell Carillon and observation area, building rentals and educational programs. Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve is located 10 miles west of Champaign-Urbana on Interstate 74 at Mahomet, exits 172 or 174. For faster access to the Museum of the Grand Prairie (formerly Early American Museum) and Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden, take exit 172. For faster access to district headquarters and the golf course, take exit 174. Addresses are: Main entrance — 109 S. Lake of the Woods Road; Mahomet boathouse entrance — 101 N. Lake of the Woods Road; Golf course — 405 N. Lake of the Woods Road; and Museum and Garden entrance — 950 N. Lombard St.
ronment has been vastly altered. This exhibit recreates those places and evokes that lost environment. Visitors will appreciate the era in which Lincoln made friends, worked and built his political career in our community. Visitors can enter the county, the way Lincoln did, in a buggy. They can visit Kelley’s tavern, have their photograph taken in Alschuler’s studio, and visit the Goose Pond Church, where they’ll hear neighbors talking about the political issues of 1856 as they wait for Lincoln to arrive.
Museum Of The Grand Prairie Exhibits Permanent Museum Exhibits — Prairie Stories: Each of us has our own story, a story of living here — on the verge of the Grand Prairie. Our stories inform our lives and the lives of those around us. Come visit and read, see, and listen to stories of Native Americans and settlers, farmers and city folk, Irish and Germans and African Americans. Reflect on how the stories of others are similar to, or different from your own. Blacksmithing On The Prairie: Come see the family blacksmith shop begun by A.B Chesebro in Saunemin, IL, in 1896 and later brought to the Museum of the Grand Prairie. In 1993, the museum’s staff walked into a block and frame shop that Ralph Chesebro, A.B.’s son, had walked out of for the last time in the 1930s. Oral history interviews were recorded with Ralph’s family. The shop itself was tirelessly drawn to scale, photographed and videoed. The contents of the shop have been moved and a total of 5,500 objects have been marked and added to the museum. Research on the Chesebros, Saunemin and area blacksmiths has been conducted; and — within the walls of the museum — the blacksmith shop itself was partially reconstructed. Enjoy the interactives, see the wagon equipment and view the tools of the blacksmith trade in this comprehensive exhibit. Champaign County’s Lincoln: The man-made environment that Lincoln knew in Champaign County is almost completely gone and the natural envi-
Get Closer To
Other Attractions Middle Fork Campground: Whether visitors choose to play hard or just relax surrounded by nature, they can create memories at Middle Fork Campground in the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, located in northeast Champaign County. Fish, hike, swim, watch wildlife, listen to nature or sit around the campfire getting reacquainted with family and friends. Each campsite is a quiet retreat shaded by large oaks, hickory and hackberry trees. Wildflowers grow in abundance. All sites are close to the beach and other amenities. Ice, firewood and other necessities can be purchased from the campground host. Watch for the schedule of nature programs to be offered on weekends throughout the summer. Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden: The Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden in Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve is located just off Illinois Route 47 in Mahomet. The garden boasts some of the most beautiful and diverse flora in East Central Illinois. Many couples have exchanged their wedding vows in this colorful setting. The garden has evolved over a period of years from a small garden outside the museum to the eight acres it covers today. A major renovation in 1974 was spearheaded by H.I. Gelvin, the founder of the Forest Preserve District, and the area was named in tribute to his late wife, Mabery. Additions to the original Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden include the award-winning Miriam Davies Memorial Enabling Garden, located at the south end, and the Discovery Garden, which is directly behind the museum. There is no admission fee to enter Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve or the Botanical Garden. Visitors may access the garden through the Museum of the Grand Prairie (formerly Early American Museum), which also has no admission fee, or they may enter the garden by going around the museum to the gate on the east side. The garden is generally open 7 a.m. to sundown.
Water lilies and abundant flora await in the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve.
Nature
Five forest preserves throughout Champaign County
Time To Plan A Visit Whether exploring the bustling Champaign and Urbana downtown areas, discover the great outdoors, catch an Illini game, or attend one of the many festivals, it’s time to plan a trip to Champaign County. Request a free “Visitor’s Guide” by visiting www.visitchampaigncounty.org, or call (local) 217-3514133, or (toll-free) 800-369-6151. 2014 Champaign County Calendar of Events Dates are subject to change. Please call ahead for specific information and additional activities.
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PAGE 42 | 2014 Discover Visitor & Vacation Guide To Central Illinois
April 10-13: Boneyard Arts Festival, Champaign County. April 23-27: Roger Ebert’s Film Festival, Virginia Theatre. April 25, 26: Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon & 27th Mile Celebrate Victory Bash, University of Illinois. May 31: Homer Soda Festival, Homer. June 26-29: Bloomington Gold Corvette Show, Champaign. June 27, 28: Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival, Champaign. July 10-13: I&I Historic Farm Days, Penfield. August 15, 16: Taste of Champaign-Urbana, West Side Park. September 26-28: Pygmalion Music Fest, C/U.