News and Events
Preservation knows no boundaries, spans collective past
The court directed that the 303-acre former Motorola property in Harvard be sold “free and clear of all interests, claims and liens of any and all individuals and parties to the underlying forfeiture action.” The problem, masked dancers, is that it takes two to tango.
A Bear, A Star and the Great Depression: A Christmas Story
Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the stories told year after year.
Kettle of generosity
One person can make a difference.
Bell ringers with the McHenry County Historical Society raised more than $1,000 Saturday, Dec. 4, in front of the Crystal Lake Jewel-Osco. The kettle was particularly heavy for two reasons: the public’s generosity and that fact that it contained TWO – count ‘em – 1/10-ounce gold coins!
Those coins were on top of the $873.60 donated.
On behalf of MCHS and the Salvation Army of McHenry County, THANK YOU!!! As the need increased, folks responded. Makes us proud to live in McHenry County!
McHenry County played an important role in fighting another health scourge
Closed in 2011, the 116-acre Camp Algonqin was only one of four camps built in the U.S. during the “Fresh Air in the Country” movement in the late 19th century.
The ongoing war against COVID-19 got me thinking about another battle in the early 1900s.
Not King Coal ... at least in Marengo
By ED URBAN
There were so many opportunities over the years for Marengo: a college, oil fields, a large manmade lake, a large telescope, and a coal mine. Yes, at one time Marengo dreamed of being a coal mining community.
You may chuckle a bit, but the idea isn’t so farfetched!
Saving the past isn't tough if you keep up presently
The reason so many historic structures are getting torn down is because saving them is excruciatingly complicated.
Preservation Chicago pointed out that of the roughly 820,154 buildings in Chicago, only 1.2% are protected within local historic landmark districts. That is out of a city that spans 237 square miles. And the fact that many historic buildings are owned by absentee landlords, who neglect regular maintenance in a shortsighted attempt at profitability, does not help.
Veterans honored with Valor Quilts
Since 2011, the Gazebo Valor Quilters have given away about 3,100 quilts to deserving men and women. This year they gathered on Veterans Day, outside in front of the 1895 West Harmony School at the McHenry County Historical Museum in Union, to pass out quilts COVID style: non-contact distribution of wrapped red, white and blue quiilts in trunks of cars.
Vote your conscience for our nation, past and present
At long (oh my God) last, we are approaching Election Day.
A 2018 poll of 4,646 adults by the Pew Research Center, supplemented by a phone survey of 1,466 adults, found that 91% of folks believe it is either a very (74%) or somewhat (17%) to vote in elections in order to be good citizens.
Just 8% wrote off voting as unimportant,… and that was before this year!
Giving the gift of history
Mary Ann Stompanato left behind a legacy when she died July 2 at her home in Woodstock.
Not only did Mary inspire generations of special needs children and their families during her 25 years working for District 200, she made a mark through the many civic and nonprofit organizations for which she volunteered. They included the Women’s VFW Auxiliary, the Kishwaukee Valley Garden Club, the McHenry County Mental Health Board and, of course, the McHenry County Historical Society.
Pioneer Garden, volunteers feed hungry
The University of Illinois Master Gardeners, who plant and maintain the demonstration pioneer garden at the McHenry County HIstorical Museum in Union, donated nearly 75 pounds of food to Crystal Lake Food Pantry this season. Produce included: green beans, potatoes, beets, carrots, cabbage, rhubarb, kale, onions, basil and oregano. Special thanks to our dedicated green-thumbed volunteers: Cheryl LaSarre-Gaddis, Sue Keller, Barb Donnelly, Susan Langworthy, Christina Rank, Jennifer Knox, Kathy Render and Ron Peterson.
Decision makers should step up and embrace common sense for Coventry House
The military calls it “defense in depth,” a strategy whereby the goal is to delay rather than prevent a foe from advancing. It is the same strategy being employed by Canadian businessman Edward Gong and his company, Edward Harvard Holdings – owner of the 1.5 million-square-foot Motorola manufacturing facility on Route 14 in Harvard.
Cider Fest, car show navigate virus
COVID-19 may have succeeded in putting the McHenry County Historical Society’s car show in “neutral,” but it never slipped into “park.”
About 80 vehicles registered for the show, delayed since July thanks to COVID-19. It featured demonstrations of flintknapping by Richard Hamilton and broom making by Bob McCann, as well as cider pressing, a selfie station and mum sale.
Gudauskas delivers honey of a program
Bees pollinate about three quarters of all fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the United States.
And that’s just a start.
The Food and Drug Administration notes that honey bees produce honey, pollen, royal jelly, beeswax, propolis, and venom – all collected and used by people for various nutritional and medicinal purposes. But there is very real threat to bees and the vital products they produce. U.S. beekeepers lost nearly 40 percent of their honeybee colonies – a record – last winter, according to the Maryland-based Bee Informed Partnership.
Historical precedent suggests hard choice could be right choice
Nothing like a pandemic to get people to rethink their priorities.
Wearing a mask in public is seemingly a “bridge too far” for some, too big a sacrifice. The rationing of staples during the World Wars, even gasoline during the 1970s, is but a distant memory. So what are the odds of parents returning to cloth diapers to help save lives? S*?t happens, but I’m guessing it would be a hard sell.
Adopt An Artwork
Listen to the WNIJ interview by clicking HERE
•••
As the number of farmers in the Greenwood area swelled, it became apparent that their children needed a place to learn. In 1859, School District 64 completed construction of a 28-40-foot, two-story brick school at 4614 Greenwood Road.
Making change difficult ... in a number of areas
First there was a coin shortage and now the mail may not go through? What would my Uncle Reinne have said? My grandfather’s brother loved to jingle coins in his pocket – particularly if he had good day at the track.
That’s a non-starter nowadays.
- ‹ previous
- 5 of 26
- next ›
© 2025 MCHS- All Rights Reserved.