Published: May 02, 2008 09:59 am            

Historical Village opening this weekend

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By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Historical Village is kicking off its 2008 summer season tomorrow, and to help celebrate the opening, the Independent Silver Band will play at 2 p.m. followed by impromptu performances at various historical cabins throughout Saturday afternoon.

Founded by the Jefferson County Historical Society, the village preserves and interprets nearly 200 years of county history. Open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3 through Oct. 26, visitors walk through time viewing authentic log cabins, a one-room schoolhouse, a church, a jail, a general store, a print shop and a working blacksmith shop, among others. The Schweinfurth Museum and Interpretive Center houses collections and memorabilia of Jefferson County history.

The Independent Silver Band is one of only four “vintage bands” in Illinois, information from the society states. Directed by Bill Reynolds of Mt. Vernon, local musicians patterned their group after the 1880s Mt. Vernon Independent Silver Band and play authentic music on antique instruments. According to band historian Steve Loomis, this technique produces a “bright sound” that modern instruments cannot replicate.

“We want to bring old-time music back to life on the instruments it was written for,” Loomis said.

“People hear the music again like they remember it used to sound, and others can hear it for the first time.”

In addition to the season, the village also holds weekend group tours for schools and groups.

Other special events at the village include Heritage Days on Oct. 4 and 5, which feature old-time crafters and demonstrations of techniques used by pioneers, as well as live entertainment, food, a historical cemetery tour, games and contests.

For more information about the village or to arrange a tour, contact the village office at 246-0033.

Admission is free to all Historical Village events.

        

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