The J.F. Glidden Homestead & Historical Center was presented with four awards from the Illinois Association of Museums (IAM) this month.

Each year, IAM celebrates the best of museums from across the state. The Glidden Homestead, 921 W. Lincoln Highway, is the site of “The Winner” barbed wire invention. The Glidden Homestead was recognized by IAM in three categories for the 2024 year: Innovation, Building-Site Preservation, and two awards in Volunteer Service.

The Innovation Award, which recognizes museums for breaking new ground, was awarded to the Glidden Homestead for its Barb City’s Barbed Wire Weekend event, which they hosted in September. This three-day event celebrated the 150th anniversary of Joseph F. Glidden’s patent for “The Winner” barbed wire, and featured a dinner at the historic Homestead, a bus tour of DeKalb’s barbed wire sites, and a two-day barbed wire expo in partnership with the Antique Barbed Wire Society. The event celebrated DeKalb’s roots and welcomed visitors from more than 10 states.

“This was an ambitious new undertaking for this small museum,” said Debbie Fandrei, IAM award committee chair. “Judges were impressed by the range of activities, the new partnerships created, and the energy that creating such an event brought to the organization and the town.”

An Award of Merit was presented to the Glidden Homestead in the Building-Site Preservation category, recognizing the extensive masonry and foundation repairs that were completed to all three of the campus buildings last year: the house, the barn, and the blacksmith shop. These projects were funded by donor generosity, a DeKalb County Community Foundation community needs grant, and a bequest from the Eleanor Pasquale estate.

“Preservation work is the foundation of all that we do,” said Jessi Haish LaRue, Glidden Homestead executive director. “We are grateful for our donors who contribute to these projects so that we can continue to share these buildings and their stories with the public. Restoration work allows us to share these buildings for at least another 150 years.”

The Glidden Homestead operates with one part-time staff member and a base of dedicated volunteers. Roger Keys and Jim Morel, two of the Glidden Homestead’s volunteers, were both recognized for more than 25 years of service to the Homestead.

Keys serves as a volunteer on the museum’s barn restoration committee. He is also the docent for the annual Open Barn Day in June which allows the public to see the interior of the barn, which is currently undergoing restoration. Keys, a historic preservationist, has offered consultation on restoration and pitches in on both barn and house projects while being “never afraid to get his hands dirty,” according to the awards committee.

Morel retired from the Homestead board of directors in 2024. His mark has been left on the Welcome Center building, originally a garage for the home. Morel led the project of remodeling it into today’s program space and gift shop. He also led the charge on restoring the campus’ former millhouse building into today’s living history blacksmith shop, which is still a draw for many visitors and blacksmithing students years later.

The museum is open on Sundays from 12-4 pm or by appointment, and is home to the house and barn where Glidden’s barbed wire was invented and initially manufactured. Both buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To learn more about the Glidden Homestead, become a member, or volunteer, visit GliddenHomestead.org, call 815-756-7904 or email jessi@gliddenhomestead.org.