Historical society performance shows impact of facility

Submitted by McHenry County Historical Society

A one-time-only performance titled, “June, 1884 — A Suitable Plan for the Unfortunates,” will play out at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, in Seneca Township’s original Township Hall. Now called Perkins Hall, this historic structure was built in 1885 on the southwest corner of Franklinville and Garden Valley roads, Woodstock.

The public is invited to participate in the decision-making process of establishing what was originally called the County Poor Farm and Asylum. Since 1959, the facility has been known as Valley-Hi Nursing Home for McHenry County.

The issue at hand was who, the townships or the county, should primarily handle the care for those unfortunate individuals who could not care for themselves. In the past each township supervisor was responsible for their needs in whatever way he saw fit. The “unfortunates” were farmed out to those willing to assume their care at the lowest price. This proved unsatisfactory as those willing to provide care often did so only for the money.

Those attending the performance will become part of a rural audience there to listen to the pros and cons of a proposal impacting local control. As one might expect, not everyone agrees with each other. While the year becomes 1884 and traffic along Franklinville Road then was light, such is not the case for the performance.

All parking should be along Garden Valley Road. Those attending are invited to wear period clothing and remember, there are no restrooms in Perkins Hall.

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