The Jersey County Victorian Festival centers around the 1866 Italianate 14 room mansion built by Colonel William H. Fulkerson, well known cattleman and horse breeder. Fulkerson was a Pony Express rider, Confederate officer, affiliated with the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and regional railroads. Tours of the home reflect the life of Fulkerson and are furnished with rare Victorian antiques and Fulkerson family artifacts.
Famous vistors to Fulkerson's estate, Hazel Dell, include Fulkerson's nephew Charles M. Russell, General Wade Hampton, and Frank and Jesse James.
At the festival visitors will be able to see early historical demonstrations including coopering, blacksmithing, and woodworking. We also demonstrate Civil War reenactments, a Victorian gentleman's "Duel of Honor," the Jesse James stagecoach robbery, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and Victorian Style Show. "History-in-Motion" can also be witnessed as the early agricultural machines take to the fields at Hazel Dell. Watch as the steam engines plow and thresh wheat and run the 1889 sawmill.
High quality arts and crafts and antiques can be purchased at the festival, along with unique, delicious food items.
Admission charged and free parking, handicapped accessible.
Come visit where the "South Meets the North" (and the West, too!) at the Jersey County Victorian Festival, annually on Labor Day Weekend!