Baseball aficionado to put miniature and re-created stadiums on display

Submitted by McHenry County Historical Society Museum

Rockton resident and baseball aficionado Bill Rose bring his collection of baseball stadiums to the McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union, on Sundays, June 16 and 23, and Saturday, June 22.

Rose has collected more than 50 miniature stadiums — including Ebbets Field, Three Rivers Stadium and Comiskey Park. Each were re-created by the Franklin Mint.

View this limited exhibition from 1 to 4 p.m. Father’s Day Sunday, June 16, and Sunday, June 24. Fathers are admitted free June 16 with the purchase of a regular adult or child admission. Members are free.

The stadiums also will be available for viewing from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22, prior to a Civil War-era baseball game at nearby Siems Memorial Park. The game features the McHenry County “Independants” (an actual team of that era) against a team from Lake County in what could become an annual tradition.

Dave Oberg, executive director of the Grayslake Heritage Center, will umpire and emcee, explaining the rules and teaching the audience to cheer and jeer in proper 19th-century fashion. The park is off Highbridge Road, just east of Main Street. Bring your own chair and blanket to sit on. Popcorn, Cracker Jack and lemonade will be available for purchase.

For more information, call (815) 923-2267 or visit www.gothistory.org.