'Prairie Trails to Strange Tales' exhibit opens May 3

Hop aboard the wagon and join the McHenry County Historical Society for a craft beer tasting and to view its newest exhibit, "Prairie Trails to Strange Tales: McHenry County's Earliest Years."

McHenry County was a challenging and often dangerous place in the early 19th century. A rugged landscape, wild animals and Native Americans - many of whom already had been forced off their ancestral lands to the east - awaited these "greenhorns" unaccustomed to carving out a livelihood on the prairie.

Several small pioneer communities were established in McHenry County during the 1840s and 1850s. Pioneers were enticed by creek sites, which could be dammed to provide power for sawmills. Not only was oak timber abundant, but fertile prairie suitable for crops spanned McHenry County. Pioneer communities such as Barreville, Brookdale, and Ostend seemed to have bright futures in the 1860s and 1870s. However, when the railroad chose to locate elsewhere, the hope of economic growth and prosperity went with it.

Learn about these McHenry County "ghost towns" in their heyday and what remains of them today. Discover stories about several pioneer families, many who are buried in McHenry County's earliest cemeteries. The early history of McHenry County also chronicles many types of foul play including the first murder in the county.

This exhibit is the first to be featured in the museum's newly renovated first-floor Anderson Gallery. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 6:15 p.m. to dedicate the new gallery in honor of Norma & Glenn Anderson, whose generous memorial bequest made renovation possible.

The opening reception runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 3, at the society's museum, 6422 Main St. in Union. It includes craft beer tastings for those 21 and older from Crystal Lake Brewing, Lucky Girl Brewing Company, McHenry Brewing Company, Scorched Earth Brewing Company, Sew Hop'd Brewery & Tap Room and ShadowView Brewing. Beer tasting packages - including a souvenir pint glass, six tasting tickets and pub snacks - are available for $20. Additional tastings are $3 per ticket. All proceeds benefit the McHenry County Historical Society.

Jazz/blues music will be provided starting at 6:30 p.m. by the Tom Steffens/Gary Parker Duo. Admission to the museum is free. For more information, call (815) 923-2267 or visit gothistory.org.