What is Willoughby?
Willoughby Heritage Farm is more than just a piece of property. As part of the Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD) the land is becoming place where the history of the area comes alive through historic structures, original tools, replica gardens and a restored environment.
CARD's plans to make the property a representation of a Midwestern family farm from the 1930s to 1950s is being made possible with grants from the Madison County Parks and Recreation Grants Commission, Madison County Planning and Development, IDCEO/Department of Energy and other organizations, as well as volunteer asisstance from Boy Scout Troop 93, Boy Scout Troop 1031, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners and the Timber Framers Guild.
Along with being a historic property, the CARD staff has also created over three miles of hiking trails along the woodland and prairie and is working to restore to natural aspect of the land as part of a conservation mission.
Willoughby Heritage Farm is more than just a piece of property. As part of the Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD) the land is becoming place where the history of the area comes alive through historic structures, original tools, replica gardens and a restored environment.
CARD's plans to make the property a representation of a Midwestern family farm from the 1930s to 1950s is being made possible with grants from the Madison County Parks and Recreation Grants Commission, Madison County Planning and Development, IDCEO/Department of Energy and other organizations, as well as volunteer asisstance from Boy Scout Troop 93, Boy Scout Troop 1031, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners and the Timber Framers Guild.
Along with being a historic property, the CARD staff has also created over three miles of hiking trails along the woodland and prairie and is working to restore to natural aspect of the land as part of a conservation mission.
Goats at Willoughby Again this year the Moody family is providing Willoughby Farm with two lovely goats - Ellie and Lacey - this summer. The goats continue to help us naturally restore our conservation reserve by eating invasive exotic (non-native) weeds. Their favorite is bush honeysuckle, which happens to be our biggest threat in restoring a healthy native woodland habitat. It is a win-win for all of us! In November the goats will return to winter home with the Moody Family.
While at Willoughby, the goates live in the farm's original corn bin, which was recycled into a cozy Goat House in 2008. The goats, corn bin modifications, and fence were made possible through the Madison County Planning and Development grant.
Poultry Palace Residents The hens and roosters are back at the Farm! Willoughby Farm neighbor, Jacob Durham, has taken on the everyday chore of raising and caring for the chickens! Thanks Jacob! The chicken house was completed by Eagle Scout Brandon Szakasci in early 2009.
While at Willoughby, the goates live in the farm's original corn bin, which was recycled into a cozy Goat House in 2008. The goats, corn bin modifications, and fence were made possible through the Madison County Planning and Development grant.
Poultry Palace Residents The hens and roosters are back at the Farm! Willoughby Farm neighbor, Jacob Durham, has taken on the everyday chore of raising and caring for the chickens! Thanks Jacob! The chicken house was completed by Eagle Scout Brandon Szakasci in early 2009.
Bring the Energy Bike to your school! The Illinois Renewable Energy Bike is a human-powered, stationary bike that demonstrates how mechanical energy is transformed into electrical, light, heat and sound energy.
The Energy Bike, granted by IDCEO/Department of Energy, has become very popular for children in grades 4-8 because it teaches the energy and electricity concepts with visual, real-life applications while meeting Illinois academic standards. Call Carol Frerker at 288-3142 for more information.
The Energy Bike, granted by IDCEO/Department of Energy, has become very popular for children in grades 4-8 because it teaches the energy and electricity concepts with visual, real-life applications while meeting Illinois academic standards. Call Carol Frerker at 288-3142 for more information.
Ongoing Projects
THE GARDENS by University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners
The Master Gardeners continue to make improvements, expand educational opportunities, and attract visitors from all over the region with their fun and interpretive information and tours. They also help area educators meet their classroom goals!
How sweet it is: When you come out to enjoy the beautiful colors don’t forget to visit our newest guests - the honeybees! We have two very active, man-made beehives and it is intriguing to watch them work. Don’t be afraid of them; they won’t bother you. The bees are too busy helping nature to reproduce and keep the food chain going! The beehives have become another great educational asset to the garden area.
GARDENING 101- COMING SOON: We are working collaboratively with U of I Extension to facilitate garden classes, taught by U of I Master Gardeners at Willoughby Farm. The monthly classes will teach all the steps of gardening such as planning and preparing a site, planting, composting, harvesting, and more. Participants will learn how to create various types of gardens such as a vegetable, herb, butterfly, rain garden, berry bramble, and flower. The classes can also help participants enrich their network of gardening resources, along with meeting new friends with similar interests! It will be a great place to share ideas, ask questions, and find out new techniques.
The classes will suit experienced and first-time gardeners alike. Classes unable to be held at Willoughby Farm, due to weather, will be held at the CARD office.
Recycled Railcar Bridges: Both railcar bridges (Coyote and Horsetail) have been installed crossing Schneider Creek in the conservation reserve. The bridges were recycled from abandoned railcars and purchased through a grant from Madison County Planning and Development. Come out to see our new bridges and the three miles of interpretive trails in the woods. Be sure to visit the old oak grove, tour the hill prairie, and keep a watchful eye on other natural gifts and wildlife in the Mississippi Bluff region.
Rain Garden: A grant from the Office of the Governor of Illinois has allowed us to design and build a wetland rain garden. The garden is located in the children’s exploratory area and will be an ongoing project. The project is led by exceptional U of I Extension Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists. Rain gardens provide a positive ecological impact while mitigating erosive and mosquito problems in wet areas. Come out and watch the progress and learn how to install a rain garden in your yard.
1920’s FARMHOUSE: Through a Park Enhancement Program grant from the state of Illinois, we have installed electricity to and through the farm house. This winter we will begin to renovate the inside of the house to return it to the look and character of the era. The house will become a central focus of the Willoughby farmstead as it will serve as a working, interpretive house of the mid 1900s.
Gindler Barn: Volunteers continue to work on the pre-Civil War Gindler Barn that was reconstructed on site in the summer of 2008. The Gindler Barn will be utilized as our livestock barn someday. The Gindler Barn, named for the Gindler family of Collinsville who owned the barn, was relocated from Longhi Road in Collinsville to Willoughby Farm during the winter of 2007. The Gindler family owned the barn and corresponding property since the mid 1800s. When the property was sold in 2007, the pre-Civil War, hewn oak barn was donated to CARD in lieu of being destroyed. Piece by piece the barn was moved to Willoughby Farm and on July 7-19, 2008 crews from Trillium Dell Timberworks, the Timber Framers Guild and local volunteers (at left) used original and new timbers to re-assemble the 36x85-foot barn.The Gindler Barn is a perfect example of a Midwestern-style barn.
ADOPT A PIECE OF WILLOUGHBY
This program is a great way to become involved on your own time and schedule. This is for any one person or group of people wanting to be a part of Willoughby, make a difference in preserving our natural world, and have fun and learn along the way! No experience needed. We will provide all the information and guidance you need to make it a learning and enjoyable experience. Great for individual or community service projects.
THE GARDENS by University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners
The Master Gardeners continue to make improvements, expand educational opportunities, and attract visitors from all over the region with their fun and interpretive information and tours. They also help area educators meet their classroom goals!
How sweet it is: When you come out to enjoy the beautiful colors don’t forget to visit our newest guests - the honeybees! We have two very active, man-made beehives and it is intriguing to watch them work. Don’t be afraid of them; they won’t bother you. The bees are too busy helping nature to reproduce and keep the food chain going! The beehives have become another great educational asset to the garden area.
GARDENING 101- COMING SOON: We are working collaboratively with U of I Extension to facilitate garden classes, taught by U of I Master Gardeners at Willoughby Farm. The monthly classes will teach all the steps of gardening such as planning and preparing a site, planting, composting, harvesting, and more. Participants will learn how to create various types of gardens such as a vegetable, herb, butterfly, rain garden, berry bramble, and flower. The classes can also help participants enrich their network of gardening resources, along with meeting new friends with similar interests! It will be a great place to share ideas, ask questions, and find out new techniques.
The classes will suit experienced and first-time gardeners alike. Classes unable to be held at Willoughby Farm, due to weather, will be held at the CARD office.
Recycled Railcar Bridges: Both railcar bridges (Coyote and Horsetail) have been installed crossing Schneider Creek in the conservation reserve. The bridges were recycled from abandoned railcars and purchased through a grant from Madison County Planning and Development. Come out to see our new bridges and the three miles of interpretive trails in the woods. Be sure to visit the old oak grove, tour the hill prairie, and keep a watchful eye on other natural gifts and wildlife in the Mississippi Bluff region.
Rain Garden: A grant from the Office of the Governor of Illinois has allowed us to design and build a wetland rain garden. The garden is located in the children’s exploratory area and will be an ongoing project. The project is led by exceptional U of I Extension Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists. Rain gardens provide a positive ecological impact while mitigating erosive and mosquito problems in wet areas. Come out and watch the progress and learn how to install a rain garden in your yard.
1920’s FARMHOUSE: Through a Park Enhancement Program grant from the state of Illinois, we have installed electricity to and through the farm house. This winter we will begin to renovate the inside of the house to return it to the look and character of the era. The house will become a central focus of the Willoughby farmstead as it will serve as a working, interpretive house of the mid 1900s.
Gindler Barn: Volunteers continue to work on the pre-Civil War Gindler Barn that was reconstructed on site in the summer of 2008. The Gindler Barn will be utilized as our livestock barn someday. The Gindler Barn, named for the Gindler family of Collinsville who owned the barn, was relocated from Longhi Road in Collinsville to Willoughby Farm during the winter of 2007. The Gindler family owned the barn and corresponding property since the mid 1800s. When the property was sold in 2007, the pre-Civil War, hewn oak barn was donated to CARD in lieu of being destroyed. Piece by piece the barn was moved to Willoughby Farm and on July 7-19, 2008 crews from Trillium Dell Timberworks, the Timber Framers Guild and local volunteers (at left) used original and new timbers to re-assemble the 36x85-foot barn.The Gindler Barn is a perfect example of a Midwestern-style barn.
ADOPT A PIECE OF WILLOUGHBY
This program is a great way to become involved on your own time and schedule. This is for any one person or group of people wanting to be a part of Willoughby, make a difference in preserving our natural world, and have fun and learn along the way! No experience needed. We will provide all the information and guidance you need to make it a learning and enjoyable experience. Great for individual or community service projects.
Willoughby Farm has been a community fixture in the Collinsville area since the early 1900s. Recognizing the significance of interactive education and the importance of preserving open space for the community, CARD continues to work toward restoring Willoughby Farm to an authentic working family farm and conservation reserve.
New Projects
Carl Schultze Pavilion: The new timber frame pavilion was completed this summer thanks to $25,000 from the Collinsville Sunrise Kiwanis Club. The pavilion was dedicated to Carl Schultze, an active member of the Kiwanis Club and a member of the Willoughby family. Carl was committed to preserving the Willoughby family homestead over urban development and loss of wildlife habitat. He was instrumental in creating a special and unique place in our community that will always be dedicated to the education and preservation of our farm heritage and natural resources. Generations will be allowed the opportunity to learn about and enjoy our Midwest farm heritage. Thank you to the Schultze and Willoughby family for sharing a heritage treasure, and their continued support of the farm’s restoration.
Permanent Restrooms: Say good-bye to porta-potties! This fall Willoughby Farm will have new restrooms for the convenience and comfort of our visitors. Along with having modern conveniences, the restrooms are being built with environment-friendly, energy-saving utilities and appliances.
Renewable Energy: As we develop a sustainable heritage farm of the past, we strive to become environmentally ‘sustainable’ in building our future. One way is to become energy-independent by harnessing energy through renewable techniques.
We have installed a 3kW Photovoltaic (solar) system to provide all, or most, of our electricity to initially run the farm. The system’s 24-hour energy output and savings is observable via the Internet and will prove to be an educational tool for everyone, especially students learning about the environment and renewable energy.
This fall, we will also install a solar streetlight in the parking lot and solar-powered security cameras.
The solar project was funded through three grants: Illinois Rebate program, Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, and Madison County Planning and Development grant 2010.
Carl Schultze Pavilion: The new timber frame pavilion was completed this summer thanks to $25,000 from the Collinsville Sunrise Kiwanis Club. The pavilion was dedicated to Carl Schultze, an active member of the Kiwanis Club and a member of the Willoughby family. Carl was committed to preserving the Willoughby family homestead over urban development and loss of wildlife habitat. He was instrumental in creating a special and unique place in our community that will always be dedicated to the education and preservation of our farm heritage and natural resources. Generations will be allowed the opportunity to learn about and enjoy our Midwest farm heritage. Thank you to the Schultze and Willoughby family for sharing a heritage treasure, and their continued support of the farm’s restoration.
Permanent Restrooms: Say good-bye to porta-potties! This fall Willoughby Farm will have new restrooms for the convenience and comfort of our visitors. Along with having modern conveniences, the restrooms are being built with environment-friendly, energy-saving utilities and appliances.
Renewable Energy: As we develop a sustainable heritage farm of the past, we strive to become environmentally ‘sustainable’ in building our future. One way is to become energy-independent by harnessing energy through renewable techniques.
We have installed a 3kW Photovoltaic (solar) system to provide all, or most, of our electricity to initially run the farm. The system’s 24-hour energy output and savings is observable via the Internet and will prove to be an educational tool for everyone, especially students learning about the environment and renewable energy.
This fall, we will also install a solar streetlight in the parking lot and solar-powered security cameras.
The solar project was funded through three grants: Illinois Rebate program, Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, and Madison County Planning and Development grant 2010.
Upcoming Events
Willoughby Farm Market Days
4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays, August 18 to September 29, with a special market on October 2 during Fall Farm Day
This weekly market includes items that are homegrown and homemade. Stop by the farm to pick up produce, eggs from Willoughby hens, and enjoy the farm in the evening. If you would like to participate as a vendor please call the CARD office at 346-7529.
Hayrides 'n Hot Dogs
5-7 pm, Thursday, October 14 and October 28
Visit the farm for an old-fashioned good time. Hot dogs for roasting, potato chips, carrots, marshmallows and beverages, along with hayrides and a great bonfire to enjoy. $5 per person, maximum $25 per family, children 3 and under are free - all ages are welcome.
Call (618) 346-7529 to register
Wednesday Workday
Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon
Bring your work gloves and positive attitude to the Farm and help Carol and the U of I Extension Master Gardeners. Complimentary lunch for those who volunteer on Wednesday mornings.
Willoughby Farm Market Days
4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays, August 18 to September 29, with a special market on October 2 during Fall Farm Day
This weekly market includes items that are homegrown and homemade. Stop by the farm to pick up produce, eggs from Willoughby hens, and enjoy the farm in the evening. If you would like to participate as a vendor please call the CARD office at 346-7529.
Hayrides 'n Hot Dogs
5-7 pm, Thursday, October 14 and October 28
Visit the farm for an old-fashioned good time. Hot dogs for roasting, potato chips, carrots, marshmallows and beverages, along with hayrides and a great bonfire to enjoy. $5 per person, maximum $25 per family, children 3 and under are free - all ages are welcome.
Call (618) 346-7529 to register
Wednesday Workday
Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon
Bring your work gloves and positive attitude to the Farm and help Carol and the U of I Extension Master Gardeners. Complimentary lunch for those who volunteer on Wednesday mornings.
Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve is located at 631 Willoughby Lane, near Summit Elementary School, in the heart of Collinsville. The property is open daily from 9 am to dusk.
Map to Willoughby Farm and other CARD Facilities
Map to Willoughby Farm and other CARD Facilities
Fall Farm Day at Willoughby Farm
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 2
Bring your family and explore the history of Willoughby Farm with tours by Willoughby family members, check out the “poultry palace” to see the varieties of hens, see the goats and rabbits, choose and decorate a pumpkin, take a free tractor ride and leave your own mark on this heritage farm! Be sure to stick around for the pig roast. Admission is FREE. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Rock the Barn at Willoughby Farm
7-11 p.m. on Saturday, October 2
Yee-haw! Mark your calendar, tell your friends, shine up your boots and get ready to rock the barn with some rockin’ country music! This isn’t your grandparents’ barn dance -we’ll be two-steppin’ to modern country hits performed live by Boulderdash, a four piece rock country group that has opened for Alabama, Kenny Chesney, Brooks and Dunn, Janey Fricke, Gene Watson, and Marty Haggard. Come for the music, stay for refreshments, and free hot dogs and s’mores over a roaring bonfire. Admission fee is $5 per person (3 and under free); $20 maximum per family
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 2
Bring your family and explore the history of Willoughby Farm with tours by Willoughby family members, check out the “poultry palace” to see the varieties of hens, see the goats and rabbits, choose and decorate a pumpkin, take a free tractor ride and leave your own mark on this heritage farm! Be sure to stick around for the pig roast. Admission is FREE. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Rock the Barn at Willoughby Farm
7-11 p.m. on Saturday, October 2
Yee-haw! Mark your calendar, tell your friends, shine up your boots and get ready to rock the barn with some rockin’ country music! This isn’t your grandparents’ barn dance -we’ll be two-steppin’ to modern country hits performed live by Boulderdash, a four piece rock country group that has opened for Alabama, Kenny Chesney, Brooks and Dunn, Janey Fricke, Gene Watson, and Marty Haggard. Come for the music, stay for refreshments, and free hot dogs and s’mores over a roaring bonfire. Admission fee is $5 per person (3 and under free); $20 maximum per family
Click Here to view photos from 2010's Heritage Day and Hoedown
More GREAT Eagle Scout projects
Sean Simpson, Boy Scout Troop 1086, built and installed over 20 trail markers to create a self-guided trail system. The sturdy markers make it much easier to follow a map and a safer place to hike along Willoughby’s three mile trail system.
Christopher Bell, Boy Scout Troop 1086, built six large, sturdy benches for the barn and conservation reserve. The four benches in the woods are placed in a great location to provide visitors a shady place to enjoy the Children’s Shade garden and Willoughby’s new rain garden. Summit Elementary School students have discovered that the area and benches are a “cool place” for story time.
More Eagle Scout projects are being planned. A HUGE thanks to area scouts for their projects, contributions, and community service - you truly make our community a better place to live and enjoy!
Sean Simpson, Boy Scout Troop 1086, built and installed over 20 trail markers to create a self-guided trail system. The sturdy markers make it much easier to follow a map and a safer place to hike along Willoughby’s three mile trail system.
Christopher Bell, Boy Scout Troop 1086, built six large, sturdy benches for the barn and conservation reserve. The four benches in the woods are placed in a great location to provide visitors a shady place to enjoy the Children’s Shade garden and Willoughby’s new rain garden. Summit Elementary School students have discovered that the area and benches are a “cool place” for story time.
More Eagle Scout projects are being planned. A HUGE thanks to area scouts for their projects, contributions, and community service - you truly make our community a better place to live and enjoy!
© Collinsville Area Recreation District | 10 Gateway Drive, Collinsville, IL. 62234 | Phone: 618.346.7529 | E-mail: frontdesk@CollinsvilleRec.com
