New exhibit

Not only can you go back in time & meet the Patricks (and their servants), you can go many places in Marengo and even Chicago. Catch "bicycle fever," find out who came to the Marengo Opera House and take a trip to the World’s Columbian Exposition. Find out what life was like in the "Gay ‘90’s" and enjoy your trip back in time.

　May 17^th -- Sunday

"Rural Images" aptly titles our one-man art show featuring the water color paintings of Cary artist Lou Taylor. Many area barn and farmscapes will be shown. Artist Lou Taylor will be here to share some painting insights. The 2 x 4 foot paintings are for sale with all profits to benefit the McHenry County Historical Society.

Free admission for Riley Township residents.

Free admission for Village of Fox River Grove residents.

Free admission for City of Woodstock residents.

Perkins Hall Players perform "Rural Electrification, 1938." Perkins Hall, 7:00 p.m. (southwest corner of Garden Valley and Franklinville Roads, southwest of Woodstock.) Come and join in the civil melodrama. Period clothing encouraged. Free admission. Light refreshments.

Bus tour of McHenry County one-room schools; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. See McHenry County College Summer Schedule for details. Ask for Amy at 815-455-8764.

Father’s Day—Free admission for Fathers.

Annual Meeting. 7:00 p.m. Postcard history presented by Don Purn and Jeff Jolitz from the Algonquin Historic Commission. Business meeting and refreshments to follow. Open to the public.

Free admission for Village of Lakemoor residents.

Heritage Fair, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. "Meet Me at the Fair!" The popular barbershop quartet The Clef Hangers will be here between 11:30 am and 1:00 p.m. At 2:00 p.m. in the museum, Freddy Fredrick’s popular magic show takes center stage. At Noon and 3:00 p.m. AWS Certified Quilt Appraiser, artist, and teacher Sandy Schweitzer of Crystal Lake will demonstrate a quilt bed turning. Pie baking contests and cake walks take place in the morning. Blacksmithing, bake, book, antique clothing, garden plants and white elephant sales are on-going throughout the day. At 1:00 p.m. an antiques auction takes place out on the museum lawn with Hebron auctioneer Ray Low, while inside one can enjoy the new two-year major exhibit "Arrival – The 1890’s." Admission is free. "The James" mobile museum will be open and food is available. Come and spend the day. Residents of the Village of Union will be holding garage sales throughout town.

Free admission for Village of Ringwood residents.

Free admission for Village of Spring Grove residents.

Free admission for Alden Township residents.

1867 Pringle School on River Road north of Marengo open for viewing. See the restoration progress. Enjoy light refreshments. Try your hand at old fashioned children’s games. Call 815-923-2267 for parking information.

Free admission for City of Crystal Lake residents.

Free admission for Dorr Township residents.

Free admission for Algonquin residents.

Free admission for Marengo Township residents.

Museum open 1 to 4 p.m. free to the public in memory of the September 11, 2001 Tragedy. Visitors may view locally written reactions to the event and/or add personal reflections to the collection.

Free admission for McHenry Township Residents residents.

Free admission for Richmond Township residents.

32^nd Annual Cider Festival, 10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. featuring musical entertainment by "Charlie B and Friends," between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Visitors can try their hands at making apple head dolls. Visitors can also watch a barn raising beginning at 12:30 p.m. Throughout the day there will be harvest demonstrations, including blacksmithing and old fashioned cider making. An apple goodies bakery, kettle korn, book, antique clothing, and white elephant sale and food will be available. The museum, the Gannon 1843 log cabin and 1895 West Harmony one-room school are also open free all day. Throughout the day antique tractors from the McHenry County Antique Farm Equipment Association will be on display with a tractor parade and contests beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Historic Halloween Program with two seatings, one at 6:45 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m. After the Civil War, Union veterans formed Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Associations. Through the powers of Halloween magic we’ll spotlight one such G.A.R. gathering of the 8^th Illinois Cavalrymen. Listen in to their stories of long ago battles, hear their music and laugh along with their camaraderie. Halloween refreshments follow in the Society’s West Harmony one-room school afterward. Admission charged for non-members of the Society. 6:45 to 9:00 p.m.

Annual Quilt Drawing and program at 1:30 p.m. featuring Joan Harrison of Marengo. Joan’s program is titled "A Seamstress’ Tools of the Trade." Visitors are asked to bring their own favorite quilt for a show and tell following the program. The drawing for the Heritage Quilters quilt "Garnets for Mrs. Lincoln" takes place at 3:30 p.m.

Thank You Tea for Historical Society Volunteers, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

*Free Holiday Open House from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Holiday music and cookies. Come see a Teddy Bear Christmas. We’ll have bears galore celebrating the holidays. Experience Christmas through the eyes of time. In addition, Barry Valentine of Marengo will be here demonstrating the art of making a gingerbread house. Area activities that weekend include the annual Marengo-Union Christmas Walk. Private homes are open for the sale of crafts, collectibles and antiques.

*Beginning Thursday, December 3rd and extending throughout December, the museum will be open free during afternoons Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. for those wishing to see the holiday displays. Closed dates are December 24, 25, and 31.