Historical society reenacting power debate

In what has become an entertaining annual event, the McHenry County Historical Society and its Perkins Hall Players offer a one-evening-only performance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 17.

The 1885 Seneca Township Hall, now renamed Perkins Hall and owned by the historical society, serves as the site for this annual event.

Perkins Hall is southwest of Woodstock on the southwest corner of Franklinville and Garden Valley roads. The drama is titled "Rural Electrification-1938." Performers portray real county residents of past times and dramatize different points of view on issues that impacted a more rural McHenry County.

By 1938, electricity was a given within area cities and towns and was working its way out to the farms. The Public Service Company of Northern Illinois wanted those farms to use more electrical milking machines and home appliances to justify the high costs of bringing service to such widely scattered places. Two big issues for farmers, however, revolved around the reliability and cost of such service.

The public is invited at no cost to attend and participate in the debate over becoming an electrified farm. Period attire and a sense of humor are encouraged. Those attending are asked not to park on Franklinville.

For information, call (815) 923-2267 or visit mchsonline.org.