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.
June 21
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Father’s Day Fishing. Celebrate Father’s Day fishing with dad at the historical Hatchery Park, 2314 Hatchery Road in Spring Grove. Learn why Spring Grove was chosen as the location for the state’s first fish hatchery in 1913 while you tour the visitor’s center and view photos and artifacts from those early days along with the history of how millions of fish were raised each year and transferred to lakes and ponds all over Illinois. Hike the walking paths with historical markers. Remember your fishing poles, lures and worms. (No other live bait allowed). Fishing licenses are required for those 16 and older. Catch and release only. Parking fee of $5 for non-Spring Grove residents. (Hatchery Park is open from 7 a.m. to dusk)
June 28
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Day at Petersen Farm. McHenry’s Landmark Commission and the McHenry County Farm Bureau collaborate on this year’s “country fair” theme. The eighth annual festival, at 4112 McCullom Lake Road in McHenry, features music, a magician, cow milking, a coloring contest, petting zoo, hayride, farm gardens with master gardeners, children’s activities, food vendors and the opening of the 1860 Colby-Petersen farmhouse and barn.
