“The Gathering” Historical Presentation event at Macktown

“The Gathering” Historical Presentation event at Macktown invites you to visit and help keep our local heritage alive.

As time goes by, little known secrets risk being forgotten forever. A group of proud local citizens need your help keeping Rockton’s history alive; “The Gathering” Historical Presentation at the Macktown Living History, 2221 Freeport Road in Rockton, on June 8th and 9th, aims to educate new generations about the time when our region was the American West. Come and enjoy demonstrations on activities such as Blacksmithing, Muzzleloader Shooting, rug beating, washing clothes, splitting logs into split nails for fencing, rope making, fire starting, crafts, kids’ activities and more!

The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District, which owns the land on which Macktown exists, and the Macktown Living History, are working to restore Macktown to its 1834 to 1850 historic condition. The living history center is staffed entirely by volunteers who want to make sure our regional history is not lost. We are also recruiting volunteers for future events!

“The Gathering” covers the 1700-1840 time period. You will meet re-enactors portraying traders and trappers, French voyageurs, Native Americans, early settlers including Stephen Andrew Mack Jr. and his wife Mary Hononegah, founders of a once-thriving community known as Pekatonic. During this time, Americans were migrating here from the East Coast and building communities, traveling mostly by animal, river raft or on foot. There were not yet railroads or steamboats and the California Gold rush had not yet begun. On the early frontier, a gathering was a special time to come together to trade, socialize, share news, have sporting contests and sometimes even marry.

The Macktown site, has also been recognized as an important archaeological resource offering clues to our pre-historic history. Staff and volunteers have found arrowheads, pottery shards and items such as a piece of atlatl- a stick used to propel small arrows or darts through the air. Shell middens (places where oyster shells and other refuse were dumped) exist near the riverbank.

“The Gathering” is coming up June 8th and 9th, rain or shine at the Macktown Living History (2221 Freeport Road in Rockton). Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students. Children 6 and under are free. Parking is free. The event is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, June 8th, and 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 9th. Learn more by calling (815) 218-3874, or check our website at macktownlivinghistory.com, visit us on Facebook and Instagram.