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At left: Dr. Eric Mogren speaks about his book Native Soil: A History of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau during a program Aug. 20, at the Glidden Homestead & Historical Center. At right: visitors got their first look at a permanent exhibit on barbed wire's impact on the culture of America and beyond.
(Photos by Kathy Siebrasse)

Glidden Homestead opens National Archives
exhibit; Mogren speaks about book
      The Glidden Homestead & Historical Center has unveiled a permanent exhibit that includes photographs from the National Archives and Library of Congress, entitled “Barbed Wire: A Cultural History.”
     The opening event was Aug. 20, at the Homestead, 921 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb.
     J.D. Bowers, Glidden Homestead board member and NIU history professor, facilitated acquisition of the display. It features a variety of photographs depicting the cultural impact barbed wire has had on the shaping of America and the world beyond. The exhibit will remain part of the Glidden Homestead’s permanent collection.
     As part of the day's events, Dr. Eric Mogren, NIU history professor, discussed his book Native Soil: A History of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, published by NIU Press.
     DeKalb County farmers in the early 1910s epitomized the progress and reform occurring at America’s grassroots level, according to Mogren. Over a five year span, he researched and wrote the book about the county Farm Bureau’s history through the year 2000.
     The book examines the 1912 formation of the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association to improve crop production and follows the group as it evolved into the DeKalb County Farm Bureau. The book was a collective effort of the Farm Bureau and the late Charlie Roberts, whose father-in-law was an original founder of the DeKalb Seed Corn Co.
    To accompany the exhibit, Kirkland farmer, Dennis Rehn, displayed an impressive array of antique farm tools and implements on the front lawn at the Homestead.
     The Glidden Homestead & Historical Center, with funding from public and state sources, is working to restore the barn and house as a living history museum to educate children and adults about the significant contributions of northern Illinois to the history of the West and the world beyond.
     In 1874, Joseph F. Glidden was granted a patent for “The Winner,” one of the most widely-used types of barbed wire. He invented and first manufactured the barbed wire at the Glidden Homestead site on West Lincoln Highway. Both the house and barn are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
    The Glidden Homestead & Historical Center has a local membership base, whose contributions help fund ongoing expenses and upkeep. The organization is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the restoration and development of the site.

At left: Dennis Rehn displays some of his antique tools. At right: Dr. Eric Mogren signs copies of his book. (Photos by Kathy Siebrasse)