Historic Chesterfield readies for Memorial Day opening
Chesterfield drew large crowds over the long weekend for the kickoff of the season at the Historic Townsite in 2024. Events included dances, wagon rides, lunch, an action, tours, and much more for the people from all over who made their way into town, just north of Bancroft.
One of the signs of the season (weather notwithstanding) is the opening of the Chesterfield historic townsite at the culmination of the Memorial Day celebration. This year, the weather is predicted to hit a high of 80 degrees on Memorial Day itself, which should allow the scheduled events to proceed apace.
The preserved buildings in the townsite will be opened on Monday, and docents will be on hand at the various locations to inform and guide visitors through the historic houses, church, school house, and other locations of interest. The general store will be open for customers as well throughout the day.
While the townsite events will take place on Memorial Day, the events will officially start on Saturday the 24th just down the road in Lava Hot Springs.
A full list of events follows:
Saturday, May 24
8:00 am - 11:00 am - Lava hot springs community center
Breakfast with the Legion
Eat breakfast with the American Legion, a U.S. Veterans Association. Breakfast is $7 for adults and $5 for kinds under 12 years old. The meal includes pancakes, bacon or sausage and eggs. Includes coffee, hot chocolate or orange juice. Seconds are okay at no extra charge.
8:00 pm
Old Time Dance
Get ready to kick up your heels and dance the night aware at the social gathering site in Chesterfield’s townsite. Suggested donation of $10 per family.
Live music performed in the Amusement Hall
Monday, May 26
10:15 am - 4:00 pm
Memorial day celebration
The building doors open each year at 10:15 on Memorial Day, celebrating those hardy Chesterfield pioneers. Come take a look inside these historic buildings, have some fun and experience what makes Chesterfield great. All are welcome!
Scheduled Events
**Home and building docents will be taking staggered brakes throughout the day. Organizers ask visitors to be patient with these closures. As they explain, “volunteers are wonderful but not super-human. They need a bit of time to eat lunch, take a breather, and “freshen” up. If the building you would like to visit is closed, they should be back within 30 minutes. It is also a great time for you to grab lunch and visit the auction while you wait.”
9:00 am
5K Run
Every year our Memorial Day celebrations begin with a 5K run around Historic Chesterfield. This run is family friendly and open to all who wish to participate. What could be better than running back in time through a beautiful countryside? Registration includes a race number and T-shirt. Registrations after May 10 do not guarantee a shirt, but they will be reserved in registration order.
The race will start in front of the meetinghouse.
Visit https://www.historicchesterfield.org/store/p40/5K_Run_Registration_for_2025.html to register for the race.
10:00 am
Flag Ceremony
The American Legion Post #88 will conduct the flag ceremony at the Amusement Hall Field.
10:15 am
Brick Store Opens
Following the flag ceremony, the Holbrook Mercantile will officially open for the season. A mix of modern and pioneer supplies can be found inside the fully stocked walls of the mercantile, which should be a perfect place to cool off for what looks to be a sunny afternoon out in Chesterfield. Cash and Credit Cards are accepted at the mercantile, which has food, snacks, curios, and souvenirs, and necessities.
10:15 am – 1:00 pm
Bake Sale
Inside the Amusement Hall, you can buy a homemade treat. During the Bake Sale, the Amusement Hall will also provide an opportunity for people to bring in their historical photos of Chesterfield to be scanned and recorded into the archive. If you’ve been wondering what to do with your old shoebox of vacation photos to Chesterfield, or if you’ve always thought there was someone out there who would really appreciate looking at them, you’re in luck!
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Lunch at Amusement Hall Field
Lunch is always a fun chance to mingle and chat with Chesterfield locals and those who are only local for the day. Prices may change, but prepay can be done until midnight on Saturday.
1:30 pm
Live Auction
Inside the Amusement Hall, a large variety of donated items will be auctioned off during the afternoon. All of the proceeds from the auction will be used in the restoration and maintenance of Chesterfield. Support the historic preservation efforts and the ability of the townsite to keep running through the season while picking up some amazing items!
Additional Activities
FROM 10:15 AM - 4:00 PM
* Activities are subject to change. Check back here for most current information.
WAGON RIDES - Line up outside of the church. Each ride lasts about 30 minutes.
IRA CALL CABIN
CHESTER CALL CABIN - Stories
MEETINGHOUSE - Organ Playing
AMUSEMENT HALL - Memories Booth/ Bake Sale/ Auction
DAVIDS CABIN - Rug Making Demo
TOLMAN / LOVELAND -
Homemade Cards
LOVELAND / SIMONS HOUSE - Popcorn
JENSEN CABIN - Homemade
Bread & Jam
PERKINS CABIN - Herbs
BARLOW HOUSE
IMPLEMENT YARD -
Up close view of antique farming equipment. Outside of Blacksmith Shop.
HIGGINSON / HOLBROOK HOUSE - Spinning Yarn
FLUEITT SIMONS CABIN -
Stories
ROBERTSON CABIN -
Reconstruction Progress
RUGER DUGOUT - Button Game
MUIR / BUTTERFIELD
BLACKSMITH SHOP -
Rope Making / Prairie Rings
TITHING HOUSE - How They Made Bricks
LIVERY STABLE
BRICK STORE - Purchase Candy & Other Items
LOG STORE - School
