History comes to life
Steve Kelly of Worth talks with gunsmith Gary Messer of Dixon about his handmade guns Sunday during the American Heritage Living History Show at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. The two-day show drew re-enactors and collectors from across the Midwest. (Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com)
Susan Mueller of Boscobel, Wisconsin, makes a quilt using a period hand-cranked sewing machine Sunday while participating in the American Heritage Living History Show at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. (Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com)
Chris Olsen of Aurora shines up a telescope he had on display Sunday at the American Heritage Living History Show at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. Olsen also does wet plate photography, as it would have been done in the mid-19th century. (Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com)
Daniel Vogt of Sheridan demonstrates how to scrape the fur from a hide as part of the tanning process to make buckskin during the American Heritage Living History Show on Sunday at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. (Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com)
Gunsmith Gary Messer of Dixon holds one of the muskets he built for display Sunday during the American Heritage Living History Show at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles.
Ryan, 6, Shane, 4, and William Sperling, 9, of Palatine pan for gold Sunday at the Donley’s Wild West Town booth during the American Heritage Living History Show Sunday at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. (Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com)
Dozens of historical re-enactors, antique shoppers and memorabilia collectors from across the Midwest gathered this weekend at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles for the American Heritage Living History Show.
The two-day event, primarily a trade show for vendors of historical items, gave visitors a chance to see crafts workers use the skills and methods of past generations to make everything from soap and leather goods to tents, dresses and silver jewelry.
In all, there were more than 60 re-enactors and demonstrators on hand.
