Sampler Series: William Herndon, the Man Who Knew Lincoln
Office closed April 3 for Good Friday
Sampler Lecture Series 2015 - Domestic Servants
Erika Holst, (top) collections curator for the 1833 Edwards Place historical home in Springfield, talked about the trials and tribulations of live-in domestic servants in the 19th century. Not only were coveted young girls, ages 10 to 14, difficult to find, cultural difference made them difficult to manage. Irish immigrants were feisty and local farm girls approached the difficult tasks of doing laundry and ironing with the same enthusiam as "teenagers with a mall job," Holst said. Below, visitors view some period crockery unearthed during archeological digs. The next Sampler is at 7 p.m. April 14.
(click above)
Members' Night - March 27
(From top, clockwise) Dave Harms talks about his radio collection with Arlen Bird; Doug Crane mans the wine table; Barb and Mike Bigalke talk about what kind of Marengo memorabilia appeal to them; and Diane Urban underscores the old adage: Good beer shared here! About 85 members attended the free Friday night premiere of the new Members' Only Exhibit.
Antique Appraisal Day
Tom Dougherty (TOP), co-owner of Studio
2015 in Woodstock, gives an appraisal while volunteer (background) Janet Hayes looks on. Visitors swarmed into the museum Feb. 28 for the third annual Antique Appraisal Day. They brought jewelry, art, glassware and number of one-of-a-kind pieces. Below, appraiser Dave Krieg and assistant Molly Walsh view some toy figures. At left, board member and stamp collector Dan Ring shows off part of his personal collection.
"Mood Indigo" Quilt Raffle
Buy your chance to winning this stunning "Mood Indigo" quilt featuring a churn-dash pattern that salutes jazz and the once-precious indigo dye. It annual raffle is made possible through the Heritage Quilters and its supporters.
Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5, with all proceeds benefiting the McHenry County Historical Society & Museum.
The drawing will be at around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum in Union. It follows a Civil War-related quilt program and brief quilt presentation honoring veterans. The raffle winner need not be present. For information, call 815-923-2267.
Available here:
Our latest McHenry County Barn Quilt Brochure
On our Facebook Page, you'll find MUCH MORE information about our current events!
Welcome! Tree Sculptures Get Facelift
Since the mid-1960s, the McHenry County Historical Society has provided the methods and means of presenting McHenry County History to enrich life.
Please join us in marking our 52nd year!
On July 4, 1976, the Society's museum in Union, Ill. officially opened to the public.
Our comprehensive collection includes several preserved buildings:
The 1843 Gannon Log Cabin
An 1885 town hall, now known as Perkins Hall
A 20th Century modern tourist cabin, restored and housed INSIDE our Museum.
In 1982, a local history research library was added to the museum.
In 1988, we acquired the West Harmony School, an 1895 one-room schoolhouse now used for c.1900 school programs at our Museum location in Union.
In 2009, we acquired the 1898 Riley Methodist Church.
In 2010, we held our Business Diamond Jubilee, saluting McHenry County businesses in operation for 75 + years.
In 2011, we helped create the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest, in cooperation with many fine people across all six Northern Illinois counties.
Besides operating the museum, the Society plaques historic sites and structures, holds adult workshops and classes, makes available traveling exhibits and arranges a wide variety of school and other group programs. Funding for the Society comes from membership dues, admission fees, donations and a trust fund. Your support is always welcomed.
For many years, we have published a comprehensive quarterly newsletter, The Tracer. To receive this valuable resource, join our organization. Visit our Online Gift Shop. Learn more: watch a video about Oral History by the Northwest Herald.
The Museum is open from the first Sunday in May through the first Sunday in October – Tuesday through Friday from 1 until 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. – and for special events. For more information visit The Museum. We very much appreciate your interest and invite you to participate.
Upcoming Events
JOIN US TO HELP PRESERVE
AND SHARE LOCAL HISTORY!
When you support the McHenry County Historical Society, many benefits become yours.
Did you know that WITHOUT ANY USE OF TAX DOLLARS, we continue to collect and hold in our collection, the three dimensional teaching artifacts of human progress? And, that our museum provides a family-oriented entertainment and educational destination, uniquely and interactively telling the ongoing story of McHenry County and its people?
And, that our research library (free to members) houses thousands of technical books and pamphlets; photographs; post cards; maps; journals; business, club, school and governmental records; local history books; biographical files; scrapbooks; newspapers; phone directories; high school yearbooks and knowledgeable people with answers to all sorts of questions you may ask?
And, that we create learning experiences and events, participating in the activities of like-minded organizations throughout McHenry County?
And, that our staff and volunteers have collective fun while teaching, learning and experiencing history together?
GET OUR NEWSLETTER!
Visit our Support page for even more details. One key benefit is our history-packed newsletter, The Tracer. Sixteen pages of news, articles, interviews, photographs and more will be mailed to you each quarter.
Members of the McHenry County Historical Society are amazing people.
Also, VOLUNTEER to help
share local history.
Great Resources!
The McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission (Website)
has a valuable Preservation Trades Resource List (PDF), containing a wealth of references for those embarking on a historic preservation project.
It was compiled by the
McHenry County Joint Council of Historic Groups (visit their Twitter Feed)
The McHenry County Historical Society supports the work of these two fine organizations.
The Northern Illinois Quilt Fest is over, but information remains available via these links:
- Barn Quilt & Quilt Garden Map
- Interactive public Google Map
Also, please take some time to explore our Website's menus. There is a wealth of information available here for you to learn from. And, we're hoping you'll be inspired to participate in our efforts.
