Museum Reopens for 2024 Season 11 AM - 4 PM

We are excited to announce that in spring 2024, the McEachren Annex will house an all-new exhibit space featuring two new exhibits and a revamped Museum Store.

It Would Be a Wonder: The Story of Wonder Lake

Wonder Lake, a man-made lake in the bed of the Nippersink Creek, was created in 1929 to provide summer cottages for Chicagoans in eastern McHenry County. Before the lake's creation, this area was open farmland. The developers declared it would be a 'wonder' if they could complete the project. Discover how Wonder Lake was created, view photographs of the lake as it was formed, and learn how residents celebrated the official opening day in 1930. 

Wired! Electrifying Rural McHenry County

Electricity came to rural McHenry County in the 1930s as part of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. This undertaking completely transformed rural life, expanding electricity to farms, schools, and households. This exhibit tells the story of the J. R. Beard farm, electrified in 1938 in collaboration with the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois. Located near Woodstock, this farm was open to the public to demonstrate the conveniences gained through utilizing electrical devices for farm and farm home tasks. Also on display are early electrical appliances from the MCHS collection.

We look forward to seeing you!

Museum hours for 2024 are Tuesday - Friday 1 - 4 PM and Saturdays 11 AM - 4 PM. Please save the date for our annual Museum Opening Celebration on June 7, 2024.