Indiana-2010-HR0020-Introduced

Introduced Version

HOUSE

RESOLUTION No. ___

Introduced by: Pelath

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A HOUSE RESOLUTION to request that the National Park Service preserve Chellberg Farm, return the animals, and keep the farm open to the public at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Whereas, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore contains such an historic landmark in Chellberg Farm; and

Whereas, historic Chellberg Farm is an example of the progression of human activities that took place as Northwest Indiana was settled, and was established in 1863 at this site where three generations of Chellbergs made their living on this farm; and

Whereas, Chellberg Farm has been a treasure in Northwest Indiana since it became part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in 1981, and is one of the only two Living History Farms in Indiana which are part of the National Park Service; and

Whereas, Chellberg Farm has been used since 1981 not only for visits by the general public, but also as an educational tool for many schools in Indiana and the greater Chicago area, teaching students today how animals were kept for hundreds of years in Northwest Indiana and how one in four Americans lived on such farms in the time period from 1890 through 1910; and

Whereas, Chellberg Farm demonstrates sustainable farming practices and hosts two major events each year, the Duneland Harvest Festival and Maple Sugar Time which enable the visitor to experience 1900's era agricultural life first-hand; and Chellberg site's resources, including its historic buildings, provide a reference for Indiana's place in United States' settlement and agricultural history., and many of our own children have benefitted from this experience; and

Whereas, during the last few months, all the animals have been removed from the Farm; plans have been written to close the farm; and no crops were planted this year and thus there were no plants to harvest; therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SECTION 1. That the National Park Service is urged to return farm animals to Chellberg Farm and make a commitment to keep Chellberg Farm as a Living History Farm in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, open to the public.
SECTION 2. That the Principal Clerk of the Indiana General Assembly transmit a copy of this Resolution to the National Park Service.