Museum Opening 2022

Art contest winners join full slate of activities during museum opening gala

The 2022 museum season opens on Friday, June 3, with the second year of Art of the Past: Viewing History through McHenry County Artists, an accompanying art show and five new displays in the McEachren Annex.

The opening reception runs from 5-9 p.m. at your county history museum, 6422 Main St. in Union. Free admission to the museum. There is a fee for food and drink.

The event will include craft beer tastings from: Holzlager Brewing Company, Scorched Earth Brewing Company, Sew Hop’d Brewery and Taproom, ShadowView Brewing, McHenry Brewing Co. and Crystal Lake Brewing. Beer tasting package, $20 sold at the door, includes souvenir pint glass and five tasting tickets. Additional tastings, $3 per ticket. All proceeds benefit the McHenry County Historical Society.

Food Trucks: Fire & Smoke BBQ Company & Julie Ann's Frozen Custard

Music: Corner Boys from 6 - 8 p.m.

Weather permitting, the food, beer and music will be outside under a tent. In the event of rain, everything will move inside the museum.

Art of the Past: Viewing History through McHenry County Artists: With a permanent collection of 150 paintings, drawings and portraits, this exhibit features landscapes and still lifes painted by local artists. It also includes paintings and drawings of historic buildings throughout the county. Learn about these McHenry County artists from a bygone era and the history behind their artwork.

This Place Matters: Historic Structures and Landscapes of McHenry County art show: Artists were invited to use their creativity and ingenuity to paint or draw historically significant buildings, structures and landscapes in McHenry County. We hope this art show will foster an appreciation for history and create an awareness to preserve these historic structures for future generations.

For more information, please call 815-923-2267