The sun is shining, the sky is blue and it’s time for summer family fun. Pack for a picnic and head out in the car for a fun day under the Illinois sky. Let Illinois Times and a black ribbon of road be your guides.

Historic Barns of McDonough County

McDonough County, which centers on Macomb, 84 miles northwest of Springfield, offers barn tours by car. These architectural masterpieces are now rare, as wooden barns are replaced by aluminum buildings. “Discover the beauty of rural life by seeing our historic barns nestled in the countryside of McDonough County. These wooden barns are in good to excellent condition and are very old,” says the Macomb Area Visitors Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The newest ones have stood for 75 years. An unusual true-round is showcased as well as the locally unique cross-gable.” There are 30 barns to view.

For details log onto www.macomb.com/macvb or call the Macomb Area Visitors Convention & Visitors Bureau at 309-833-1315.

While in Macomb, check out the old courthouse built in the summer of 1872 out of limestone and red brick.

C.H. Moore Homestead Dewitt County Museum

The C. H. Moore Homestead Dewitt County Museum at Clinton, 47 miles northeast of Springfield, is a must see. “Construction was started on the C. H. Moore Homestead by John and Minerva Moore Bishop,” the website says. “Mr. Bishop was a prosperous grain and lumber dealer in Clinton. Work on the C. H. Moore Homestead was completed in 1867 after the Civil War had ended and life took on a more normal pattern….”

Some of the highlights of the home include the wing added in 1887 to house Moore’s vast collection of books. When Moore passed away, he owned approximately 7,000 volumes that were stored in the two-story-high library with a vaulted ceiling and stenciled walls. In the dining room the parquet floor is fitted with white oak, birch, walnut, maple and cherry.

Besides the home, there is a farm museum and a new toy collection on loan this summer from Jim and Juanita Morris. The Homestead describes the display: “The collection includes toys from the l920s and l930s. Firetrucks, large scale horses and cars of a size made to be ridden by the children make up the display in the basement of the mansion. Recent gifts include an Edison phonograph which plays wax cylinders of old-time melodies and a large picture of Abraham Lincoln by famed photographer Alexander Gardner are newly displayed items. These were given to the museum by heirs of C.H. Moore.”

Many events are planned for 2010. June alone holds the annual quilt show, car show, ice cream social and vintage baseball. The ball game will be held during the 175th Clinton celebration during the weekend of June 19-20. For details contact the museum website www.chmoorehomestead.org or call 217-935-6066

Arcola and the Amish Country

Douglas County is home to Illinois’ largest Old Order Amish settlement. Arcola, 82 miles east of Springfield, and the countryside offer beautiful farmsteads, shops with Amish craftsmanship, horses and buggies and great food. These are just a few reasons to come to this area that offers much The Amish Interpretive Center (www.amishcenter.com) in downtown Arcola shares information about the history and heritage of the local Amish community.

Looking for a unique festival? Arcola celebrates its heritage as “broomcorn capital of the world” with the Broom Corn Festival held annually on the weekend after Labor Day. The Arcola website touts: “The festival’s parade is central Illinois’ largest and is home to the world-famous Lawn Rangers, who twirl and toss their brooms. The community still boasts ties to broomcorn and the broom industry with companies such as the Thomas Monahan Company and the Libman Company.”

Kids who grew up with Raggedy Ann and Andy may want to know that Arcola is the birthplace of Johnny Gruelle, the cre-