631 Willoughby Lane
Collinsville, Illinois
618-346-7529

Located on 40 acres of bluff line prairie and woodlands overlooking the American Bottom, Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve allows visitors to step back into what Midwestern family farming of the 1930-1950s was like. As part of the Collinsville Area Recreation District, the land has become a place where the history comes to life through historic structures, original tools, replica gardens and a restored environment. Along with the barns, farm tools and live animals, farm staff and volunteers have created over three miles of hiking trails in the woodland and prairie and areas for children to play.

The historic aspects of Willoughby Heritage Farm are seen throughout the property in the pre-Civil War Gindler Barn, an original 1920s Sears-style catalog Craftsman Farm House and the various antique tools and implements in the 1870s Bank Barn. The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have created a 1940s-style herb, flower, vegetable, and berry garden to give visitors a glimpse of life in the early 20th century. Live animals like pigs, chickens, and goats are on the scene in their pens.

The hillsides are covered with plants and grasses native to the area and there are three miles of walking trails throughout the farm. A portion of the trails are located on the Mississippi River bluffs overlooking the American Bottom, once the bread basket of Colonial French America.

The Collinsville Area Recreation District holds special events and programs for adults and children at the farm throughout the year.

Visiting Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve
Visiting Hours
Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve can be visited from dawn to dusk daily
There are occasions (mostly weekends) when the Farm is rented out for private special events in the evening.
There is no charge to visit Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve.
There are several special events held annually when Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve charges an admission fee.