McHenry Co. Historical Society offers busing subsidy for visiting schools
UNION - Thanks to grant from the Community Foundation of McHenry County, the McHenry County Historical Society is able to offer $200 grants to defray transportation expenses to the museum.
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, the society offers two-hour programs exclusively in the one-room, West Harmony School. A more expansive, two-hour tour, available Thursdays and Fridays, 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 "School Tours" under the "Museum" tab on the society's website - www.gothistory.org - to learn about the various programs we offer or call the office at (815) 923-2267.
The museum is able to accommodate up to four classrooms at one time. For groups larger than 100 students, we suggest taking two days.
The society must be notified by letter or email no later than Sept. 28, 2015 that a class or classes within the district will be booking a school tour this fall to either the museum or a two-hour West Harmony one room school experience.
Museum tours and West Harmony programs are free to schools whose townships and/or municipalities join the Society as governmental members. Without a membership connection, there is a $3 charge per student to help defray expenses.
At present, governmental members for 2015-16 fiscal year include the communities of Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Huntley, Lakemoor, Lake in the Hills, Marengo, McCullom Lake, McHenry, Prairie Grove, Richmond, Ringwood, Spring Grove, Wonder Lake, Woodstock; as well as Alden, Algonquin, Burton, Coral, Dunham, Dorr, Greenwood, McHenry and Riley townships. If your town or township is not on the list, encourage them to join. The cost, which has remained frozen for many years, reflects the number of people living within a town or township. For specifics, click on the "About Us" tab on the website and then "How to Support."
The historical society strongly encourages school districts to participate in this hands-on educational opportunity - located in your own backyard and now even more affordable.