Buckley Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Buckley Homestead
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Barns at the homestead
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3606 Belshaw Rd., southeast of Lowell, Cedar Creek Township, Lake County, Indiana, USA |
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| Area | 2.9 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1853 |
| Architect | Albert Smith |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000503 |
| Added to NRHP | December 6, 1984 |
The Buckley Homestead Living History Farm is a super cool county park and historical museum located near Lowell, Indiana. It's a place where you can step back in time and see what farm life was like long ago. The park is open every day from 7 a.m. until sunset, all year round. It's even listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a really important historical site! The Lake County Parks department takes care of this amazing place.
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Discovering Buckley Homestead's Past
The Buckley family, who were immigrants from Ireland, first arrived in Northwest Indiana in 1849. They built their first farmstead and started a new life. Over time, their farm grew into a large dairy farm with about 150 cows! In the early 1900s, they sold their milk to markets in the big city of Chicago.
This family farm kept growing for over four generations. It started as 79 acres and eventually became a huge 520-acre property. In 1977, a part of the farm was generously given to the Lake County Parks by Rose Buckley Pearce. Because of its special history, the Buckley Homestead was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
What Can You Explore at Buckley Homestead?
When you visit Buckley Homestead, you'll find a visitor center right next to the parking area. This is where you can find restrooms, drinking fountains, and an information kiosk. There's also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs, open on Sunday afternoons from May through early August.
From the visitor center, a path leads you right to the historic Buckley farm. The park is divided into different sections, each showing a unique part of the past. You can explore the Main House Museum, a historic School, the Pioneer Farm, and an area called Back Again. Each section helps you imagine what life was like for families living on a farm many years ago.
Exciting Events and Activities
Buckley Homestead hosts many fun and educational events throughout the year. These events bring history to life and are a great way to learn while having a blast!
Experience the WWII Tribute
Every year, Buckley Homestead holds a special World War II Tribute. This event is like stepping onto a movie set! People reenact battles between the Axis and Allied forces. You can see soldiers' encampments, watch demonstrations of uniforms, and even hear stories from real World War II veterans. There are also displays showing what life was like on the "homefront" during the war.
Journey into the Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Get ready for a spooky and exciting adventure with the annual Legend of Sleepy Hollow event! Buckley Homestead transforms into Tarrytown, New York, which is famously known as Sleepy Hollow. Visitors walk through the homestead with a guide, meeting different "townsfolk" along the way. Everyone is looking for Ichabod Crane, the only person who can share the village's mysterious stories. It's a thrilling experience that brings a classic tale to life!
