The Making of a Folk Art Show: 'Early Illinois Folk Art 1825-1925'

 By J. Eakins, Wheaton Park District

Folk art solves problems, beautifully.

This is one of the things Sara Arnas, curator at the DuPage County Historical Museum, appreciates most about the museum’s latest exhibit. “We wanted to do something unique,” Arnas said. “Very little has been done on folk art, but there is fascinating history in these everyday items.” 

“” took more than two years to organize. It is the largest changing exhibit the museum has ever presented, occupying three floors of displays, with over one-hundred items loaned from private collectors and museums across the country. Many items have never been seen in public.

This ambitious undertaking was partly inspired by Bob and Caroline Jacobsen, both longtime Wheaton residents, with an interest in American folk art. 

Bob Jacobsen serves on the museum’s foundation board and he’s worried. “Our history has been, and continues to be, removed from the state. Pickers recognize the value of what we have, purchase it and sell it elsewhere.”

Keeping ‘local history’ local means educating the public about the significance of these everyday objects. 

“If we are going to protect our history, we need to teach young people the joy of history,” Jacobsen said. “Exhibits like this help our young people learn to love history.”

To engage young visitors, the museum staff developed informative learning stations families can enjoy together, including an interactive portrait studio and community quilt. Each learning station draws a connection to items on display.

The portrait studio helps explain the job of an itinerant artist and highlights one of the special features of the exhibit—a rare opportunity to view six original Sheldon Peck portraits. Peck is well known as one of the few Midwest itinerant portrait artists.

Keith Letsche, another museum foundation member and folk art enthusiast, is thrilled about the exhibit. “This is a unique opportunity to view Illinois culture in context. Together, these objects present a fascinating picture of life in our state.”

Many of the objects illustrate everyday problems Illinois settlers faced, including fire and the need to collect water. 

Farms were vulnerable when late summer drought brought heat lighting. Weather vanes, which doubled as lightning rods, became a fixture on farm buildings. As a result, numerous lightning rod companies began in the Midwest.

Windmill weights were another source of creative problem solving.

“People needed water and plenty of it,” Jacobsen said. “Farmers needed water. Trains needed it. But no one could afford the massive windmills they built back East. People made smaller, affordable ones, with big blades to pull the water from underground. Problem was, those prairie winds from the west would knock the small windmills over!” Heavy windmill weights kept Midwest windmills from toppling over.  

A variety of charming lightning rods and windmill weights will be on view, in addition to an assortment of pottery, lighting, furniture and decoys.

Arnas appreciates how often early settlers found imaginative ways to solve their problems. “There is so much character in these pieces. Visitors are really going to enjoy this exhibit.”

Jacobsen agrees. “Folk art demonstrates the heart of the innovative American spirit. There is so much to learn from this exhibit, about history and for the future.

The Early Illinois Folk Art 1825-1925 exhibit at the DuPage County Historical Museum runs April 13, 2013 through September 15, 2013. Special programs and lectures by folk art experts will be presented throughout the exhibit.

A commemorative catalog, including photos and details on many of the objects will be sold in the gift shop. 

Tickets for Preview Night are $50 per person for those 21 years and older. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks and the unique opportunity to meet collectors and contributors from all over the state. Space is limited. Call 630.510.4941 to reserve, or purchase tickets at www.wheatonparkdistrict.com/tickets.

Visit the museum at 102 East Wesley, Wheaton, IL 60187. Or online: www.dupagemuseum.com Phone: 630-510-4941. To support history education and the DuPage County Historical Museum Foundation, please contact Sarah O’Donnell, Director of Development at sodonnell@wheatonparks.org.