Fabyan Forest Preserve, Museum, and Japanese Garden

Join us for an afternoon of nature, historic architecture, and landscape photography.
Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden offers a stunning variety of settings, providing endless opportunities for macro, architecture, and landscape photographers.

Optional Early Guided Tour – Fabyan Villa Museum
(11:00 AM)
For those who want an in-depth look inside the historic home before our main outing, we have arranged an optional early arrival for a docent-led guided tour. Originally a farmhouse, the villa was extensively remodeled in 1907 by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The 60-minute tour covers both floors, showcasing unique Prairie-style design elements, an eclectic taxidermy
collection, and historical exhibits. Note: Indoor photography guidelines apply.

● Tour Tickets: Tickets for the 11:00 AM guided tour are $10 per person. Spaces are limited, so it is highly recommended to purchase your tickets in advance. You can check availability and buy tickets via the Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley Fabyan Villa Museum Site (https://www.ppfv.org/fabyan-villa-museum).

Picnic Lunch (12:00 PM)
We will kick off the main outing with a picnic lunch at Picnic Pavilion #2 (the bear cage) starting at noon. 

MAPS will provide soft drinks, chips, and light sandwiches for those on the registration form. Come grab a bite, catch up with fellow members, and fuel up before we head out to shoot!

Photography Highlights
● The Japanese Garden: This serene, historic garden features a traditional winding path, tea house, moon bridge, and carefully sculpted flora, making it perfect for capturing peaceful, structured landscapes and macro details.
● The Fabyan Windmill: Just across the river, this authentic, fully restored 1850s Dutch wind turbine stands five stories tall and offers dramatic architectural angles and historic charm.
● Riverfront Trails and Wildlife: Situated along the Fox River, the preserve is home to mature woodlands, scenic shorelines, and frequent sightings of local waterfowl and river critters.
● Fabyan Villa Museum & Historic Grounds: Capture the striking exterior lines of the Frank Lloyd Wright-remodeled villa nestled within the wooded landscape, or photograph the unique structure of the historic bear cage itself.

Meeting Point
We will gather at 12:00 PM at Picnic Pavilion #2 (the bear cage) on the west side of the Fox River for lunch. If you are participating in the optional 11:00 AM guided museum tour, please meet directly at the villa entrance first. (Note: The main preserve entrance is located on Batavia Ave./Route 31 just north of Fabyan Parkway. Please allow time for the approximately 1/2-mile walk from the main west parking lot to the pavilion, villa, and garden).

What to Bring
● Lens of choice for your desired subjects (wide-angle for landscapes  / architecture, macro for garden details).
● A circular polarizer or ND filter to manage midday light reflections on the garden ponds.
● Comfortable walking shoes for gravel and dirt paths.

More Information
For more details about the location, visit:
● Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley – Fabyan Japanese Garden (https://www.ppfv.org/fabyan-japanese-garden)
● Forest Preserve District of Kane County – Fabyan Forest Preserve (https://www.kaneforest.com/location/fabyan)

We look forward to seeing you there and seeing the world through your lens! Questions – Contact Chuck cdiewald@xmlhq.com 708-320-8339.

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