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 |
Buckley Homestead Living History Farm is a super cool county park and museum in 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. It's so special that it's even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lake County Parks takes care of this amazing historical spot.
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The Buckley Family Story
The Buckley family came from Ireland a long time ago. They moved to the United States in the mid-1800s. In 1849, they settled in Northwest Indiana and built their first farm. Over time, the Buckleys turned their farm into a big dairy operation. They had about 150 dairy cows! In the early 1900s, they sold their milk to markets in Chicago.
The farm grew a lot over four generations of the family. It started at about 79 acres and became 520 acres. In 1977, Rose Buckley Pearce donated part of the farm. This land became part of the Lake County Parks system. The Buckley Homestead was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
What You Can See at Buckley Homestead
When you visit, you'll find a visitor center near the parking area. It has restrooms, drinking fountains, and an information area. There's also a gift shop open on Sunday afternoons from May through early August. From there, a path leads you right to the historic Buckley farm.
The park is split into different areas for you to explore:
- Main House Museum: This is the original Buckley family home. You can see how they lived.
- School: Imagine what school was like for kids over a hundred years ago!
- Pioneer Farm: This area shows how early settlers farmed.
- Back Again: This section might show other parts of farm life.
Fun Events and Activities
Buckley Homestead hosts many exciting events throughout the year. These events help visitors learn about history in a fun way.
World War II Tribute
In the past, Buckley Homestead held a special World War II Tribute every year. People would reenact historical moments from World War II. There were mock skirmishes and displays of uniforms. You could also see how soldiers lived in their camps. Sometimes, World War II veterans would even share their stories. Displays also showed what life was like on the "homefront" during the war.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
This event happens every year, usually around Halloween. Buckley Homestead transforms into Tarrytown, New York, which is famous for the story of Sleepy Hollow. Visitors walk through the homestead with a guide. Along the way, they meet different townsfolk. Everyone is looking for Ichabod Crane, who is known for telling the village's spooky tales. It's a really immersive and fun storytelling experience!
