Folksinger Tom Neilson Concert Benefits Garfield Farm Museum: 160-Year-Old Favor Unknowingly Returned

Folksinger Tom Neilson Concert Benefits Garfield Farm Museum: 160-Year-Old Favor Unknowingly Returned


What: Tom Neilson Concert Benefitting Garfield Farm Museum
When: 7:30 pm Monday, April 21, 2014
Who: Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva
Where: 102 South 2nd Street, Geneva, IL, 60134
Price: $15 at the door
Contact: 630 584-8485, info@garfieldfarm.org, or wnscown@comcast.net


On Mon., April 21 at 7:30 p.m., folksinger Tom Neilson will perform at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva (located at 102 S. 2nd St. in downtown Geneva)  to benefit Garfield Farm Museum’s 1842 barn restoration.

As part of an Earth Day observation by the UUSG Social Justice and Green Sanctuary Teams, Tom Neilson will present an evening of political satire and social commentary. He is a winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival, the South Florida Folk Festival, and the IMA People’s Choice Song of the Year, in addition to 21 awards and nominations. Singing since the age of three, his music reflects a quick wit, creatively using folk music to make a point.

The evening will benefit Garfield Farm Museum’s complete restoration of the museum’s 1842 hay and grain barn. Built by Timothy Garfield and 50 neighbors between February and June of 1842, it was the fourth barn of its size to be built in Campton Township. Since 1977, volunteers and donors from over 3,800 households have contributed funds and labor to restore the farm as an 1840s working farm museum.

Hearing of the museum’s efforts, UUSG members contacted the museum with an offer of help. Little did the church members realize that 160 years ago, in November of 1854, a “Donation Visit” was held in Campton Township to support their first leader, the Reverend A. H. Conant.

In a recent gift to the museum, Jan Edwards of California donated her ancestor Gardensia Burr’s copy of the handbill inviting people to Thomas Cooley’s home for the benefit of Rev. Conant on Thursday, November 30, 1854. On the handbill is a list of committee members totaling 30 people supporting this fundraiser. Not only are “Mr. T.P.Garfield and Lady” (Harriet) listed but so are two of Timothy’s sons and two of his daughters, in addition to married and young single neighbors. Elderly people were expected to attend in the afternoon and the young people in the evening. Food was furnished by the ladies.

Although it is known that Harriet Garfield was a New England Baptist in practice, it is quite possible the Garfields and their Campton neighbors were supporting Rev. Conant for his strong support of abolition, a radical position for the era. This is conjecture at this point as further research is needed.

A donation of $15 will be collected at the door. Specifics about the evening can be had by e-mailing wnscown@comcast.net. Information about the museum is available by calling 630 584-8485 or emailing info@garfieldfarm.org. More information about Tom Neilson can be found at http://tomneilsonmusic.com.

About UUSG
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, established in 1842 and the oldest church in Geneva, is a diverse, welcoming community that endeavors to make its Covenant a living reality. We provide religious education and opportunities for spiritual growth. We encourage individual and mutual responsibility as together we work to be a liberal religious voice in the community and a force for compassionate social justice. For more information, visit www.uusg.org.