What do you do with a collection of 20 restored Pontiacs and Oaklands and more memorabilia than you have room to store? Open a museum, of course. And what better place to open the Pontiac Oakland Museum than Pontiac, Illinois, a popular stop along the historic Route 66? That’s exactly what Tim Dye did when he and his wife Penny pulled up roots from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and moved their collection to Illinois.
Entering Stone Hill Winery’s cool limestone cellars that date back to the mid-1800s, you inhale the heady aroma of oak and fermenting wine mixed with the cellar dampness. It is in these cellars of Missouri’s second largest winery that 250,000 gallons of wine are produced per year, resulting in more award winners than any other winery in the state.
The History
In 1836, German immigrants settled in Hermann, Missouri, hilly land along the Missouri River reminiscent of German Rhineland, perfect for growing the grapes of their homeland. The winery opened in 1847 under the name Michael Poeschel, after the founder. After changing hands and names several times, George Stark took ownership of the winery, changed its name to Stone Hill Wine Company, and by the late 1800s the winery became the second largest in the country and the third largest in the world, producing 1.25 million gallons of wine per year.
All of that came to an end when Prohibition took effect. Barrel upon barrel of wine was dumped into the Missouri River, and the vineyards were burned. For decades after that the cellars were used to grow mushrooms, until in 1965 Jim and Betty Held bought it and reopened the Stone Hill Winery.
The Tour
For the bargain rate of only $2.50 you can tour the winery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and taste as many wines as you’d like. As your guide takes you through the cellars, he or she will relate the history of the winery and many tidbits of information about the wine making process. Here are a few of the facts you’re likely to hear on your tour:
The tour ends in the tasting room, where you can sample the finished product. After sampling, you may choose to enjoy a full glass of your favorite at the adjacent Vintage Restaurant, serving American and German cuisine.
Stone Hill Winery is one of several wineries on the Hermann Wine Trail. Hermann, Missouri, is located about 80 miles west of St. Louis on the Missouri River.
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Most of the museums in Pontiac, Illinois, a Route 66 town, relate to Mother Road nostalgia, a fond memory of the past. The Livingston County War Museum, though, stirs different emotions, a mix of patriotism, sadness, and awe, because this museum focuses on the people side of war.
You’ll see some war memorabilia, like this AT-4, produced near Wilmington, Illinois, another Route 66 town, in the early 1990s.
But most of the museum is made up of stories, stories from veterans from every branch of the armed services. Mannequins throughout the museum wear uniforms donated by veterans or families of veterans. Those who were killed in action are denoted with a gold star.
The veteran’s story is attached to the uniform, and sometimes other personal memorabilia is displayed, too, like this display about Bill Voorheis, who was shot by machine gun, and though severely wounded, lived through it because the bullet that would have killed him was deflected by a religious medal that he wore around his neck. His daughter wears that medal around her neck today.
The Livingston County War Museum was the idea of Del Estes (1917-2005), WWII veteran. Most of the volunteers who staff the museum are volunteer veterans whose uniforms are displayed, like museum president Jack Murphy.
Ask volunteer Bill Hall to tell you the story of how a crab saved his life.
You can hear additional information about some of the displays through a self-guided cell phone tour.
The Livingston County War Museum is located at 321 N Main Street in Pontiac, Illinois, adjacent to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. Admission is free; donations accepted.
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I love a walk in the woods, hiking a trail under a shady canopy of trees, the sun peeking through where it can, butterflies fluttering around wildflowers, twigs and dried leaves snapping and crunching beneath my feet. Sodalis Nature Park and McCloud Nature Park, both in Hendricks County, Indiana, offer several miles of trails perfect for a morning or afternoon hike. Read more
You had planned to take the kids or grandkids to one of the beaches along Indiana’s lakeshore, but the weather is a little cool for swimming. Take them to Michigan City’s Washington Park Zoo instead. The small 15-acre city zoo is just big enough to keep the kids–and yourself–entertained for a couple of hours. Read more
“Kids don’t learn local history in school anymore,” says blacksmith Thomas Korthauer. Not until they come to Blackberry Farm, a popular field trip destination for area schoolchildren. Blackberry Farm gives the kids a chance to learn the history of the area, one of the reasons Korthauer loves his job as a blacksmith at the Blackberry Farm Museum. Not only does the Blackberry Farm provide a history lesson for kids and adults alike, it’s fun too, a living history museum and amusement park rolled into one.
At Blackberry Farm see an 1840s pioneer cabine where you may see candles, soap or butter being made.
Visit a one-room schoolhouse, and learn from the teacher how she was able to teach all grades at once.
Artisans may be plying their trades in the weaver’s cabin, blacksmith shop or pottery shop.
Visit the Early Streets museum with 12 storefronts, the Carriage House with 40 carriages, and the Farm Museum, displaying antique farm implements and tools.
Kids and kids-at-heart will enjoy the carousel, the miniature train and the paddle boats, and adults will wish they were kids again when they see the Adventure Playground.
During my visit to Blackberry Farm, I heard a mother ask her young son if he wanted to ride the carousel. “I want to go to the museums first,” he replied, proving that kids will enjoy the Blackberry Farm museums as much as they will the amusement rides.
Blackberry Farm , a property of the Fox Valley Park District, is located at 100 S. Barnes Road in Aurora, Illinois. Check the web site for hours and admission information.
Enjoy this post? Click the Subscribe2 button to the left to be notified whenever I add another post on MidwestWanderer.com. (Be sure to click the link when you get the e-mail asking you to confirm.) Visit the Midwest Wanderer Facebook Page, and check out my Examiner.com page, too, where I’ve had over 60 articles published.
