Stellwagen Foundation to Host Family Farm Tours

The Stellwagen Family Foundation will host tours of the historic Stellwagen Family Farm throughout the fall months. The Stellwagen Farm has been located at 108th Avenue and Louetta Lane since 1860.

Tour dates include Thursday, September 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, September 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday, September 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, October 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“When the Orland Park Open Lands Program acquired the Stellwagen Farm, we wanted to preserve the actual land while also preserving part of Orland Park’s history,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin. “These tours give everyone a firsthand look at an important part of Orland Park’s past.”

Tours include seeing inside the buildings, asking questions of the Stellwagen family and learning about the agricultural heritage of the area and more.

“I’m sure people of all ages will enjoy hearing the Stellwagen family history from those who grew up on the farm,” said Trustee Kathy Fenton, the Village Board’s liaison to the Open Lands Commission and the Stellwagen Family Foundation. “Being able to walk around an actual dairy farm that served the area is pretty neat.”

The farm buildings stand after several years of renovation and preservation. The Stellwagen Farm was purchased by the Orland Park Open Lands Program in 2002.

Mayor McLaughlin created the village’s Open Lands Program in November, 1995 to preserve open space throughout the village. Through its various fundraisers, the Open Lands Commission has preserved hundreds of acres of open space in Orland Park.

For more information, contact the Village of Orland Park Development Services Department 708-403-5300.