June 22, 2026 – Visitors can step back in time and experience an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration during a free event at the Homestead Prairie Farm in the Rock Springs Conservation Area on Saturday, June 27.
The “Independence Day 1860” celebration will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. and feature activities and demonstrations reflecting life in the 1860s. Guests can tour the historic Homestead Prairie Farm, including the restored farmhouse museum, with costumed interpreters sharing stories from the era.
Attendees can also explore the heirloom garden, where Master Gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension will be available to answer gardening questions. Children and families will have the opportunity to play with toys and games popular during the 19th century.
The evening will also include a performance by the Rock Springs Dulcimer Club beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the event from shaded tables, benches, or picnic blankets on the lawn.
The event is free and open to all ages, with no registration required. Activities will be held rain or shine. If severe weather occurs, the dulcimer concert will move indoors to the auditorium at the Rock Springs Nature Center.
