5,000
to 6,000 B.C. (approx.): Native Americans
live in the area. Illiniwek, Miami, Kickapoo and Mascouten Indians
use the area for hunting grounds. Potowatami live in villages in the
Perry Farm area.
1679:
Rene' Robert Cavalier, sieur of LaSalle's expedition, claims all the
lands drained by the Kankakee River, including the Perry Farm land,
for France, calling it New France.
1763:
France is defeated by England. The Colony of New France falls into
the hands of the British Empire.
1774:
Quebec Act puts all land between the Great Lakes and the Ohio River
into Quebec Territory.
1778:
George Rogers Clark captures Kaskaskia, IL and wins Illinois for America.
1834:
Jacques Jonveau (actually Jacques Vieau, Jr, a Potawatomi descendent)
gains ownership of the area now known as the Perry Farm. His land
is protected by a treaty that cedes all Potawatomi lands to the U.S.
1835:
For $1,280, Bricklayer Thomas Durham buys a portion of the Jonveau
Reservation.
1836:
David Perry builds the Perry - Worcester mill near Bourbonnais Grove.
Soon afterward, David Perry marries Thomas Durham's daughter, Martha.
1961:
Lomira Perry, descendent of David and Martha (Durham) Perry dies,
willing the Perry Farm property to the State of Illinois with the
provision that at least 40 acres of land be a public park with 'Perry'
as part of the name. In this will, she also grants lifetime farming
rights to close family friend, Francis DuVoisin.
1986:
The Bourbonnais Township Park District was formed by public election.
1986:
The State of Illinois, after reviewing petitions from the Kankeke
Valley Forest Preserve, the City of Kankakee, and the newly formed
Bourbonnais Township Park Distrrct, awarded the land compirsing the
Perry farm to the Park District.
1990:
Francis DuVoisin turns his lifetime farming rights at the Perry Farm
over to the Bourbonnais Township Park Disrict. DuVoisin retains a
large garden plot, which he cultivates even today.
- 1995:
Bourbonnais Township Park District Administrative Offices are housed
within the Perry Farm House after its renovation.
Registrations are accepted at the facility for park district activities
and programs. Classroom space is also available now for participants.
1997:
BTPD holds Grand Opening for newly built Exploration Station® . . .
a children's museum. A new multi-level castle is built within one
exhibit hall. Other exhibits include an authentic Dutch trading ship,
a fire engine replica complete with child-size fire gear, a retired
ambulance, a post office exhibit, Hallmark craft table, and a gift
shop.
- 1999:
BTPD accepts land donation of seventy (70) acres from family of Roman
'Smitty' Smietanski.
