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News and Events
Milk Day history does the body good
Envisioning Harvard today as the go-to center of McHenry County may be difficult, but there was a time when it was all that and more.
Celebrity guests included governors such as Adlai Stevenson, William Stratton (think McHenry dam), Dan Walker and Jim Thompson; secretaries of agriculture such as Ezra Taft Benson; U.S. senators who included Everett Dirksen, Paul Douglas and Charles Percy; athletic icons such as White Sox owner Bill Veeck and figure skater Janet Lynn; the daughters of presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Gerald Ford; and presidential candidate John B. Anderson.
Railroad comeback
Railroads are responsible for developing much of this country, and McHenry County is no different.
The lines – such as the Galena & Chicago Union and the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac (which became the Chicago & North Western) – may be gone, but their legacy lives on. Where the railroads came through – Harvard, Woodstock, Huntley and Crystal Lake (via Nunda) – became boom towns. The losers in this high-stakes battle – such as Lawrence, Chemung, Franklinville and Hartland – have been relegated to crossroads, footnotes in history.
Look at Local History Month
History celebration starts April 29
For historical events marking Look at Local History Month click HERE
Passport to History
Clarise Miller earned a 1995 county history book, donated by the McHenry County Historical Society. The McHenry octagenarian visited four separate events during June as part of the Passport to History program, held in cooperation with the Crystal Lake Historical Society, McHenry Landmarks Commisison and the village of Spring Grove. Congratulations Clarise!
RR Boxcar Communities
Sampler Lecture
Nearly 100 people attended the fourth and final Sampler Series lecture on Monday, April 18, at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum.
Wisconsini Supper Clubs Lecture
Super Supper
Nearly 170 supper club enthusiasts packed into the McHenry County Historical Society Museum April 4 to hear author/filmmaker Ron Faiola give his take on what has become a near religion in Wisconsin: Supper clubs.
Having already penned one book on the topic, with a second – "Wisconsin Supper Clubs - Another Round" – hitting the bookstores in June, Ron has traveled to more than 100 of these eatery institutions. They include those just across the Illinois border to those located where "chipmunks have guns."
Ag Expo
Music part of farm life
More than 2,000 third- and fourth-graders from around the county are spending a couple hours this week learning about agriculture, life on the farm and history during the McHenry County Farm Bureau's biennial Ag Expo. The McHenry County Historical Society & Museum participated once again, spearheaded by the Education Committee and its chairwoman, Judy Beth Hervert.
Quilt Basting Day
March 30
About 20 people volunteered their time to baste the 2016 quilt, Threads of Friendship, at the museum the morning of March 30. Afterward volunteers shared conversation and laughs over a potluck.
Nearly 40 quilters attended the Jan. 13 Cutting Day at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum – receiving detailed instructions from Arlen Bird and Sue Stanek on a nine-patch, Friendship Star set in a ribbon variation for 2017. The quilt uses cream and turkey red, and features 64 blocks. The 2017 quilt is dedicated to veteran quilter Holly Scott.
Historians tour archives
County Records Manager Bill Draths led a tour of the county records storage building in Hartland Township March 23 for members of the McHenry County Joint Council of Historic Groups. The 1,500-square-foot building, now at about 85 percent capacity, holds 18,000 document boxes – each 1 cubic foot. Its steel shelves also provide for flat storage of large bound items. Everything is identified by a barcode, which corresponds to a particular shelf and box.
Community Foundation Breakfast
The McHenry County Historical Society & Museum was among 20 organizations receiving a combined $250,000 Thursday, March 26, 2016, from McHenry County Community Foundation. Organization, pursuing projects in education, the arts, economic development and the environment gathered Thursday morning at Boulder Ridge Country Club for an awards breakfast. It featured keynote speaker the Rev. Pete Imiah, president of UKANDU Missions and 28-year coach, counselor and mentor. He spoke about empowering youth to achieve their dreams and positive impact on the world.
Members' Night 2016
Members get sneak peek
About 70 members gathered March 18 for a free evening of wine, chocoloates, other hor d'oeuvres and conversation at the museum, while talking to those who loaned collections ranging from bar coasters to model trains.
"The Past is Present"
Radio program
The McHenry County Historical Society partnered with Huntley Community Radio to produce a history-based radio show which aired on 101.5 FM. To access the shows that were produced, click, click HERE.
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