Explore the buildings. Touch the artifacts. Connect with history.
Located at:
16W680 Grand Avenue
630-834-3152
Open to the public:
Wednesday-Saturday: 9:00am-1:00pm
Admission is free, donations are accepted.
A special thank you to photographers, Kelly Anbach and Rebecca Delgadillo
Fischer Farm is believed to be one of the oldest remaining homesteads in the county. The Fischers established the home around the year 1838. Through the years, the Fischers built barns and a large farm house in 1920. The five acres of land at Fischer Farm is a Bensenville Park District park. The land just north of the cabin has been left untouched and is valued for its original seedbeds. This unchanged landscape is what settlers looked upon when they arrived in the area. Fischer Woods is a rare forest preserve with the remnants of prairie, wetland and woodland ecosystems.
The mission of Fischer Farm, based off of the mission of the Bensenville Park District, is to enhance the quality of life through the preservation of our local and natural history, and through recreational opportunities for all to enjoy. Programs shall promote the awareness of the historical and ecological significance of the site. The Bensenville Park District in partnership with the DuPage County Forest Preserve has been working to restore the property and land. We invite you to come and enjoy this piece of history!
Bensenville Park District Receives Grant for Fischer Farm
The Bensenville Park District has been awarded a $108,200 grant for a restoration project for the Fischer Farm facility located at 16W680 Grand Avenue, Bensenville. The grant, announced June 14, 2014 by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, was among 47 other grants that were awarded to Illinois museums; these museums collectively received $20 million to improve their facilities and develop new exhibits.
Fischer Farm is currently operated by the Bensenville Park District in cooperation with the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. The Bensenville Park District plans are to utilize the $108,200 grant to restore a pre-Civil War storage barn and chicken coop on the Fischer property, known to be one of the oldest remaining homesteads in DuPage County. The purpose of the restoration is to protect and preserve the site which is a tangible link to the past and the foundation of the local community.
“Fischer Farm is a treasure of the District”, Vice President Commissioner Tom Earley stated. “We are looking forward to getting the last two buildings of the facility restored. It’s important to preserve our history for the future. As a facility of the Bensenville Park District, plans are to continue to host annual events like Heritage Day on October 11 this fall, All Around the House Quilt Show next spring, and Civil War reenactments in addition to other educational and environmental programs that are in line with the mission of the Park District”.
“These final two structures will complete the homestead restoration and take us to the next phases of programming, museum accreditation, and both historical and environmental education”, states Rick Robbins, the Park District’s Executive Director. “Our plans include bringing animals to the Farm, expanding our events and program offerings, and further developing both agricultural and stewardship opportunities for our residents. We also anticipate more involvement at the Farm with the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NESDRA) that will allow for some great learning opportunities”.
View the Fischer Farm pamphlet.
Check out Kelly Anbach’s Fischer Farm photo gallery.
Civil War Days | June 21 & 22
Thanks for coming out! Check out the Daily Herald article, click here.
More Events at the Farm:
Event details will be posted as they become available; click here for Bensenville Park District event information.
Artists & Authors | Sept 6 & 7
Breakfast at the Farm | Sept 27
Heritage Day | Oct 11
Farmside Christmas | Dec 6
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