The Historic Artifact Trail!
This year McHenry County Historical Society is celebrating 60 years of collecting, preserving, and sharing its county's history with the public.
To commemorate this anniversary, our featured exhibit, “60 Years, 60 Objects: Stories from McHenry County,” highlighted sixty artifacts from the historical society’s collection.
From June 2 – October 2, 2023, ten of these artifacts were hosted by businesses throughout McHenry County.
The community was encouraged to travel the Historic Artifact Trail by visiting all ten participating businesses to learn about their artifacts. A drawing for a raffle basket was held for participants who visit all ten locations.
Raffle Winner Judy Challed, Woodstock
The raffle basket included items from the Historical Society’s Museum store and items donated by participating businesses.
Artifact #51: Transistor Portable Radio, 1950
Transistor portable radio made by the Admiral Corporation in Harvard.
Artifact Location:
The Backdrop
106 Cass St., Woodstock, IL 60098
Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday: 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visit:
Artifact #52: Harley-Davidson Contract, 1915
Contract between the Harley-Davidson Motor Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the three Bottlemy brothers of Alden, Illinois. The contract is for the purchase of eight 1915 motorcycles from the company. The contract describes the Bottlemy brothers’ territory as the two northern tiers of townships in McHenry County, Illinois and Sharon and Walworth Townships in Walworth County, Wisconsin.
Artifact Location:
Woodstock Harley-Davidson
2235 S Eastwood Dr., Woodstock, IL 60098
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Located in the Hall of Honor
Visit:
Artifact #53: Mason Trowel, 1850s
Trowel used by stone mason Andrew Simons. This trowel was used to build the Walkup and Wallace houses in Crystal Lake, Illinois during the 1850s and1860s.
Artifact Location:
The Dole
401 Country Club Rd., Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visit:
Artifact #54: Women’s White Leather Shoes, 1900s
White leather women’s shoes owned by Mary Denison McConnell of Richmond.
Artifact Location:
Heisler's Bootery
50 N Williams St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Hours:
Monday -Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visit:
Artifact #55: Pair of China Dolls
Pair of China dolls made into pincushions. They were owned by Joyce Brigham Gethen of Hebron Township.
Artifact Location:
Marvin’s Toy Store
64 A North Williams St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Visit:
Artifact #56: Leather Football Helmet, 1915
A leather football helmet worn by Bill Thompson on the 1915 Woodstock Athletic Club football team.
Artifact Location:
Julie Ann’s Frozen Custard
6500 Northwest Hwy, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 12 – 9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 12 – 10 p.m.
Visit:
Artifact #57: Woman’s Lapel Locket, 1908
Women’s gold-filled lapel locked attached to a Fleur-de-lis pin. This locket was owned by Delia Cleary of Marengo. It was purchased from Gill Jewelers in Marengo in 1908.
Artifact Location:
Steffan's Jewelers
325 Front St., McHenry, IL 60050
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Visit:
Artifact #58: Candle Mold, 1850s
Tin candle mold owned by Lynus and Julia Chittendon of Nunda/Crystal Lake. The Chittendons were early pioneers of McHenry County. The candle mold has tubes to create 12 candles.
Artifact Location:
Anderson’s Candy Shop
10301 N. Main St., Richmond, IL 60071
Hours:
Sunday and Monday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday - Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit:
Artifact #59: Metal Milking Stool, Mid-1900s
Three-legged metal milking stool manufactured by Starline Corporation in Harvard.
Artifact Location:
The Starline Factory
300 W Front St., Harvard, IL 60033
Hours:
Wednesday – Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Located in the lobby to the left of the building entrance.
Visit:
Artifact #60: Cast-iron Urn, Circa 1900
Grecian style decorative cast-iron urn manufactured by Collins & Burgie Stove Company in Marengo.
Artifact Location:
Marengo Floral Co.
105 S Taylor St., Marengo, IL 60152
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – Noon
Visit:
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