Passport to History

Take a countywide tour of history related events each Sunday in June:

June 7
    • 1 to 4 p.m. – “Civil War - The Ravages of War” commemorates the end of the War Between the States and Lincoln's assassination in April 1865. Learn about how the war affected Crystal Lake families and visit the 17th Corps Field Hospital. Come learn about the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and the U.S. Sanitary Commission and how our local membership was developed.  Volunteer historians will provide first person accounts of area residents as well as sharing their exhibits of Civil War artifacts and clothing at the 1858 Col. Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake.
     
June 14
    • Noon to 4 p.m. – Ice Cream Social of 1858. Sip lemonade, eat ice cream, play frontier games, and chat with your neighbors while visiting the historic Powers-Walker house, located in Glacial Park, Ringwood.
     • 2 p.m. –  “ Home Brew, Craft What’s Inside of You.” Learn how to make your own beer at home from experts with the Midnight Carboys Home Brew Club of Crystal Lake. Program is free with admission to the McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union.

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.