We will be open EVERY Sunday, 12-4 PM.  We will be closed Sunday, May 26 for the hoiday weekend.

Admission: $5 for adults, children under 14 and Homestead members are free.

Annie's Story Time Summer Schedule is Here!
These programs are free, open to the public, and supported by DeKalb Public Library! In case of inclement weather, programs will be moved indoors.

Sunday, July 7 at 1 PM: Let's Have a Picnic!
July is National Picnic Month. So, pack a snack and bring a blanket to the Glidden Homestead for an “old fashioned” picnic & story time. We will also make a fancy summer hat craft and play lawn games, just like the Glidden children did.

Sunday, August 4 at 1 PM: Happiness Happens
August is “Happiness Happens” month, and Miss Stormy is making “Happiness Happen” at the Glidden Homestead. Let’s get HAPPY with sunny stories, a cheery craft, silly songs, and awesome activities.

Join us for "Open Barn Day" on June 23
From noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, Open Barn Day will give visitors a unique chance to see the inside of the historic barn where “The Winner” barbed wire was invented and initially manufactured.
The barn is perhaps the most historically significant in the country, according to historic preservationist Roger Keys, because it is where Glidden invented and manufactured the first practical barbed wire. Keys, who has done much work on the Homestead house and barn, will give tours.
The brick barn was built circa 1870. Glidden’s first barbed wire manufacturing office was located in the southeast corner of the barn.
The Phineas Vaughan Blacksmith Shop at the Glidden Homestead also will be open and operating that day. Volunteer blacksmiths will provide a glimpse into living-history as they provide demonstrations of the craft. The historic Glidden home will also be open for tours. Admission is $5 per person, free for Homestead members.
More activities will be added to this special day -- stay tuned!

"Built by Barbed Wire: DeKalb Public Library/Haish Memorial Library"
At 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, the Glidden Homestead and DeKalb Public Library will host a “Built by Barbed Wire” program at the library, 309 Oak Street. This program, which is free and open to the public, will share the history of the building that was donated by barbed wire baron Jacob Haish.
On February 15, 1931, the Haish Memorial Library Building at 309 Oak Street was dedicated. Built on land provided by the city and financed by a bequest of $150,000 from barbed-wire millionaire Jacob Haish, the striking building with its Indiana Bedford limestone facade soon gained national recognition through an article in Architecture magazine. In 1934 the library received a mural by Gustaf Dahlstrom from the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project.
Jessi Haish LaRue, Glidden Homestead executive director, will provide remarks on the barbed wire story in DeKalb and Jacob Haish’s gift to the community. Then, Emily Faulkner, DeKalb Public Library executive director, will provide a tour and “behind the scenes” view of both the original portion and the “new” portion of the library. Highlights include various historic plaques, nods to the original architecture, and new additions, including the automated book sorter.

Picnic at the Homestead on July 7!
Join us for a picnic on the lawn of the historic Glidden Homestead! July 7, from 5-7 pm.
Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic basket, and enjoy an evening of outdoor fun and relaxation. This event is free and open to the public, but donations to support continued preservation of the Glidden Homestead are appreciated.

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW: 10th annual DeKalb County Barn Tour
Every barn has a unique story to tell. It’s waiting to be discovered during the annual DeKalb County Barn Tour!
The tenth annual barn tour will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, in the Cortland Township area. This unique event allows visitors to take in the history, sights and sounds of DeKalb County’s historic farmland. This opportunity to tour local barns is sponsored jointly by and benefits both the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association (DAAHA) and the J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center in DeKalb.
The self-driving event includes a guided tour at several barns. Admission is $40 per carload. Visitors can move at their own pacing, and photography is encouraged.
Pre-order your carload ticket HERE

Join us for a "Flat Brindle" celebration on August 11!
The Homestead is bringing its own version of “Flat Stanley” to DeKalb County this summer, through a cow that inspired Glidden’s barbed wire invention.
At 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, return to the Glidden Homestead to share your memories. This program is free and open to families, and is recommended for elementary-level students, but all are welcome.
Brindle is Joseph Glidden’s dairy cow that has been cited as one of the inspirations for creating his “The Winner” barbed wire, which is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its patent this year.