A Day in the Country Farm, Barn & Ag Tour
Come see the behind-the-scenes workings of agricultural sites in the I&M Canal National Heritage Area while discovering the rich history of our region. Hop in the car for this self-guided driving tour that will enable you to explore our area’s barns, livestock, silos and curiosities in a unique, family-friendly event.
Ag Tour Details
On this one-day tour of ag sites around LaSalle, Utica, Ottawa and Seneca, you’ll have rare, behind-the-scenes access to sites like an alpaca farm, a centennial barn, a working grain elevator, historical museums that tell the region’s stories and more. You’ll also have opportunities to view historical farm implements, see live demonstrations and browse ag-related products for sale. All along, you’ll discover the area’s agricultural history, architectural elements of the properties and what it means to be a farmer in the 21st century.
This is a self-guided, driving tour that includes nine locations. Purchase your tickets online ($20 for adults, kids under 17 FREE) and check in with your ticket receipt at either the Seneca Historical Museum (the easternmost stop: 431 N Main St, Seneca) or the I&M Canal Visitor Center in LaSalle (the westernmost stop: 754 First Street, LaSalle). At these check-in stops, visitors will receive wristbands that will enable them to gain entry to the sites. A map of the tour sites will also be provided. The event will occur rain or shine.
Come explore these sites (organized from west to east)…
1) I&M CANAL VISITOR’S CENTER – WRISTBAND PICK-UP SITE
If you haven’t already, pick up your wristbands and map. Be sure to check out the exhibits that detail the story of the I&M Canal, which is responsible for the growth of the towns along its banks, including the enormous population boom of Chicago in the late 1800s that catapulted it to its current standing as the largest metropolis in the Midwest. You can also browse the gift shop and pick up snacks and drinks at the Lock 16 Café.
Our 1840s-Replica, Mule-Powered I&M Canal Boat will be running as well. Boat times on Saturdays are 11:30am (which is dedicated to passengers age 5-12), 1pm and 2:30pm. Add an hourlong trip along the canal to your day by purchasing canal boat tour tickets here >
2) LASALLE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Get access to the entire Museum Complex, including the Canal Warehouse (see Native American artifacts and tools, Lincoln’s carriage, Wild Bill Hickok displays and more); Heritage Center (browse recently un-archived displays and artifacts on such topics as the Radium Girls, WWI & WWII and Mining); Aitken Schoolhouse (walk through a one-room schoolhouse built in 1865); Blacksmith Shop (tour a historical shop built in 1892, displaying original tools and equipment) and the 1875 Barn (go inside a replica built from wood salvaged from a local barn and engage with displays highlighting the area’s agricultural tools, challenges, successes and stories)
3) NORTHERN PARTNERS COOPERATIVE GRAIN ELEVATOR
Enjoy an insider’s perspective of this working grain elevator, which was built in the 1960s, has a capacity of over 120,000 bushels of grain and features two bucket elevators on site that can take in the loads of roughly 13 semi-trucks per hour.
4) McCONVILLE FAMILY FARM
Established in 1916, this farm’s current owners (the McConvilles) will take you through life on a farm and their small-scale operations, which include growing native flowers and vegetables and raising chickens and cattle. You’ll also have the chance to meet a Will County Forest Preserve Plant Specialist, who can answer your native plant questions.
5) PRAIRIE CENTER ALPACA FARM
Want to see an alpaca up close? Visit this local alpaca farm and learn how they carefully breed, raise, shepherd and care for their small herd. Peruse their shop for comfortable and warm clothing made from the alpacas’ wool.
See live wool spinning demonstrations from 11am – 2pm.
6) KRUG FAMILY FARM’S 1920s-INSPIRED TOWN
Initially started as a side hobby from his machine tool sales business (which started as a side business from the family farm), John Krug built a historic General Store on his property. From there, he constructed a small church, print shop, blacksmith, gas station, schoolhouse and more. All of which are based on historical buildings from the area and filled with period items that might have been used during the late 19th or early 20th century. During our event, you can tour this mini-town and get a feel for what life might have been like over a hundred years ago.
7) MAIERHOFER FAMILY FARM
The Maierhofer family has been on this land since 1878 and their iconic barn house has been welcoming those entering Seneca since 1899. Take this opportunity to explore the homestead, learn its history and snap a few photos with this monument to the agricultural heritage of the Maierhofer family and our region.
Plus, your kids will love the petting zoo, face painting and arts and crafts taking place at the farm between 11am and 3pm.
8) MJ HOGAN GRAIN ELEVATOR & VISITOR CENTER
The oldest remaining grain elevator built along the I&M Canal, this structure, completed in 1862–the heyday of the canal–allowed local farmers to ship their grain in bulk to Chicago markets via the canal, as opposed to the slower method of transporting each load by horse and wagon. This site is only available for tours during special events… like ours! So come take advantage.
9) SENECA AREA HISTORY MUSEUM – WRISTBAND PICK-UP SITE
If you haven’t already, pick up your wristbands and map. Then, explore this museum, housed in the town’s renovated 1912 Train Station, which has exhibits and artifacts that provide intriguing facts about the local community and stories about the creation of the 96-mile I&M Canal, railroads, coal mining, ship building and farming.
For more information, contact us at (630) 755-4447 or [email protected]