Share history with others as McHenry County Historical Museum docent
Learn about county history by teaching others. Become a docent at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum in Union.
Established in 1963, society members, staff and volunteers have 54-year track record rich in preservation, education, and entertainment contributions to McHenry County. The society creates learning experiences and events, focusing on local culture, organizational and family history. The historical society collects and care for notable artifacts and participates in the activities of like-minded organizations around the region.
You can help that effort by educating students or visiting groups as they tour the 1843 Gannon log cabin, 1895 West Harmony School and the 1870 historical museum, and you get to learn about all those items you've wondered about for years.
You need not be a professional educator to participate. All you need is an interest in history and a willingness to share it with others. The historical society provides training, as well as a docent guide for you to keep. A training session will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the museum, 6422 Main St. in Union.
For information, contact Kim Borgerson, membership/volunteer coordinator, at (815) 923-2267 or email kim@mchenrycountyhistory.org.
The one-room West Harmony school is available for a two-hour visit by McHenry County third- through fifth-graders. Students participate in a 1900 school day complete with lessons in arithmetic, reading, penmanship, grammar, history, and games at recess. Times are 9 to 11 a.m., 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the spring and fall.
A more expansive, two-hour tour is available Thursdays and Fridays that includes West Harmony School, the museum and the log cabin. Available times are 9 to 11 a.m., 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 10 a.m. to noon.
For more information, call (815) 923-2267 or visit www.gothistory.org.