McHenry historical society receives transportation grant

Submitted by McHenry County Historical Society

Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of McHenry County, the McHenry County Historical Society now will be able to offer $200 grants to defray transportation expenses to the museum.

The society previously received a $2,500 grant from the Minno and Carol Halma Family Fund within the McHenry County Community Foundation. This spring, it learned that an additional $5,000 was approved to defray the rising cost of fuel, maintenance and personnel.

Each public or private elementary school within the county is being offered $200 in an effort to encourage students to visit their local history museum in Union. This program is designed for third- to fifth-graders.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the fall and spring, the museum offers two-hour programs exclusively in the one-room, West Harmony School. A more expansive, two-hour tour is available Thursdays and Fridays that includes the 1895 West Harmony School, the museum, and an 1843 log cabin.

Available times are from 9 to 11 a.m., 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 10 a.m. to noon. Four weeks notice is preferred whenever possible.

Click on Educational Programs under the heading “Museum” on the society’s website home page at www.gothistory.org to learn about the various programs offered. Call (815) 923-2267 with any questions.

The museum is able to accommodate up to four classrooms at one time. For groups larger than 90 students, they suggest taking two days.

The society must be notified by letter or email no later than Friday, Sept. 27, that a class or classes within the district will be booking a school tour and are applying for the grant.

Museum tours and West Harmony programs are free to schools whose townships and/or municipalities that join the society as governmental members.

Without a membership connection, there is a $3 charge per person to help defray related expenses incurred by the museum. At present, governmental members for 2013-2014 fiscal year include the communities of Crystal Lake, Huntley, McHenry, Richmond, Ringwood, Spring Grove, Lakemoor and Woodstock as well as Alden, Algonquin, Burton, Coral, Dunham, Dorr, McHenry and Riley townships.

If your town or township is not on the list, encourage them to join.

For specifics, click on the “Support” tab on the website.