STEAM Café — Innovation and Local History: The Glidden Homestead

Promotional graphic for a Northern Illinois University STEAM Café event featuring the historic Glidden Homestead Museum in DeKalb, Illinois. A large brick-and-wood historic building stands beneath a cloudy blue sky. Text reads Innovation and Local History: The Glidden Homestead. A vertical event banner on the right displays the STEAM Café logo and event details: Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m., Glidden Homestead Museum, DeKalb, IL. Northern Illinois University, NIU STEAM, and NIU Alumni Association logos appear along the bottom, with the website go.niu.edu/steamcafe.

Wednesday, Aug. 19 

Barbed wire profoundly changed the United States, and one of the most important innovations in this revolutionary technology happened right here in DeKalb. Joseph F. Glidden was granted a patent on Nov 24, 1874, for "The Winner," which became one of the most widely used types of barbed wire in the nation.

At this STEAM Café, hear the story of the Glidden Homestead. Learn why Joseph Glidden needed barbed wire, how he created this new version and why it was so transformative. Then, tour the historic barn and see the latest updates in its restoration progress. Don’t miss this chance to dig into DeKalb’s historical roots in agricultural innovation!

About the speaker:
Jessi Haish LaRue is the Executive Director of the JF Glidden Homestead & Historical Center in DeKalb, home to two National Register of Historic Places buildings. Leading the organization since 2022, she brings a creative, forward-looking approach to the birthplace of “The Winner” barbed wire. An eighth-generation DeKalb County resident and descendant of barbed wire baron Jacob Haish, Jessi’s connection to local history is both deeply personal and future-focused.


Northern Illinois University STEAM Cafés are part of NIU STEAM and are designed to increase public awareness of the critical role that STEAM fields play in our everyday lives. They are offered in partnership with the NIU Alumni Association and made possible with support from Bayer Fund.

Event Information

Cost: Free

When:

6:30PM - 8:30PM Wed 19 Aug 2026 Central timezone

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Where:

Glidden Homestead Museum
921 W. Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, IL 60115

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