Jefferson County, IL - 2003 Community Profile

Cedarhurst

The arts have played a huge role in defining Jefferson County. From the photography of James Hitchcock in the 1870s, to the Mitchell Foundation and the Art in the City Committee, the arts have played a central role in the community.

The most famous landmark for the arts in Jefferson County is Cedarhurst. Thanks to the John R. and Eleanor R. Mitchell Foundation, established by the two lifelong southern Illinois residents, folks in the area have been able to enjoy Cedarhurst, the Mitchell Museum and other programs for over 25 years.

Many things come to mind when you think of Cedarhurst; the most famous is, of course, Cedarhurst Craft Fair, a juried, two-day craft fair that has been happening on the second weekend of September for over 25 years. Each year over 20,000 visitors flood the county for the entertainment, food and beautiful handmade art. But Cedarhurst offers even more, like the Mitchell Museum; a sculpture park; an art center; and the Cedarhurst Performing Arts program. Cedarhurst gives its guests a hands-on experience that they are sure to never forget!

The Mitchell Museum hosts an exquisite permanent collection as well as world-class exhibits. The Children’s Gallery contains many exciting and educational pieces, often using hands-on methods to teach children about the arts, technology, science and many other areas.

The Cedarhurst Sculpture Park is home to the famous Chrome Gorilla and is one of the 10 largest sculpture parks in the United States. The park houses more than 30 contemporary works by national and regional artists, including Alexander Lieberman, Ernest Trova, Harry Gordon, Michael Steiner, Martha Enzmann, Thomas Sternal and Glenn Zweygardt.

The Cedarhurst Performing Arts offers a variety of music and theater productions to gratify even the most insatiable artistic appetite. Each year Cedarhurst hosts outdoor summer concerts, dinner theater, Halloween storytelling and a nationally recognized eight-concert chamber music season.

Cedarhurst Art Center offers several programs, classes and workshops under the direction of the Mt. Vernon Art Guild. You will find classes ranging from woodcarving and basketweaving to stained-glass creation and pottery
for all ages.

The Nature Trails offer a fascinating experience to all who visit Cedarhurst. In planning these features, Cedarhurst included several thoughtful amenities. One of the many nature trails Cedarhurst offers is a trail especially designed for the visually impaired. Visitors follow a roped trail that leads to specific checkpoints in the path, which are equipped with Braille plaques that describe the scenery around them. Another popular trail at Cedarhurst leads to a bird sanctuary, complete with an informational poster of regional birds showing their names and a picture of each. Guests are invited to sit back, relax and take in all the wonders southern Illinois holds. Even if you don’t have a particular destination in mind, don’t worry! Feel free to hop on a trail and explore at your leisure the 85 acres Cedarhurst has to offer!

GenKota Winery

Since its inception in 1996, GenKota Winery has been known for quality wines with exquisite flavor. Although it is one of the newest wineries in the area, it has quickly taken its place among the best wineries in the state. They offer specially developed vintages of award-winning wines and port, featuring reds, whites and blushes in a wide variety of delicious blends from sweet and semi-sweet to dry.

In addition to selling wine by the bottle or by the case, they can also create personalized, made-to-order gift baskets from a full line of related gift items, and offer personalized labels for corporate or individual occasions.

Besides the wine and gifts, GenKota plays host to a variety of entertainment including dinner theater, comedy improv and musical entertainment.

A favorite among many visitors and residents is the annual Fall Harvest & Grape Stomp. Each September, guests are invited to participate or just watch stompers make fools of themselves in the wine vats as they stomp their way to prizes. Unlike many other Grape Stomps, GenKota’s competition is not as dependent on output as it is on style. Stompers are encouraged to be as flamboyant and creative as possible, as the judges score them on originality, costume, effervescence and zeal!

Sweet Corn & Watermelon Festival

The Sweet Corn & Watermelon Festival offers residents and visitors alike 10 days of fun for the whole family, beginning with a mesmerizing airshow that will leave even the most seasoned airshow spectators shaking their heads in amazement. Festivities continue throughout the week with a Classic Car Cruise-In, Archery Contest, Gospel Singing, Kids’ Fishing Tournament, the Air National Guard Jazz Band, a Flea Market and much, much more. As the Festival comes to a close, sweet corn is prepared downtown on the square using antique engines to heat the water. The Sweet Corn & Watermelon Parade follows, and the week is officially capped off with the annual AWA Hill Climb by the King City Dirt Riders.

The Jefferson County Historical Village

The Jefferson County Historical Village contains a marvelous collection of relics from Jefferson County’s past, ranging from small, delicate pieces to old, one-room schoolhouses.

The Historical Village is nationally recognized as one of the best small historic villages in America, thanks to the dedication of Historical Society Members. When you visit the village, you are greeted by extremely knowledgeable people who take pride in their county and love sharing what they know with visitors. The Village also contains a large library of historical and one-of-a-kind documents about the county that cannot be found anywhere else.

The grounds of the Historical Village are filled, with a restored doctor’s office, a schoolhouse, homes and other buildings from all over Jefferson County. The village regularly invites master craftspeople to demonstrate to visitors how materials like yarn and horseshoes were made using historical methods.