Experience Living Conditions Of Earlier Years

McHenry County Conservation District
Annual Trail of History
Saturday & Sunday,
October 15 & 16, 2011
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.*

Glacial Park 6316 Harts Rd., Ringwood 

Glacial Park map  
(located off of Rt. 31 between the cities of McHenry & Richmond)

View the schedule of events.

Read more about the history of this event...

Note: The admittance gate closes at 3:00 pm to allow visitors time to make the one-mile hike over hilly terrain to the encampment. Please plan your trip accordingly! For those unable to make the walk, there is a special needs parking area; a shuttle from the special needs parking area to the event site is available. Sorry, no pets.

Admission: In Advance/At the Gate
Adults: $5/$7
Seniors (60+) & Children 6-12: $2/$3
Children 5 and under– FREE

For information, call Prairieview Education Center (815) 479-5779.

TRAIL OF HISTORY EVENT ATTRACTIONS

Here's an opportunity to step back in time and experience life on the frontier.

•   View a re-enactment of military tactics during the French and Indian War.

•   Children will enjoy learning in the frontier schoolhouse, making cornhusk dolls or candles and playing pioneer games. Parents, bring a camera to photograph your children at the dress-up area!

•   Dr. Balthazar will awe visitors with his traveling medicine show.

•   Visit vendors selling authentic wares and culinary treats.

•   Musicians, dancers, and much more!

The Trail of History is a living history interpretive event. Interpreters from across the country portray and demonstrate life as it was from 1670–1850 in the former Northwest Territory which encompasses present day Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and portions of eastern Minnesota. The event’s focus is to show the interrelationship between nature, man and cultural development.

The first event occurred in 1989 and was named the Kames Rendezvous. In 1990, the event was renamed Trail of History to reflect the increased focus toward living history interpretation. Today there are over 150 encampments. The Trail of History encampment is nestled at the foot of the glacial kames in the rolling terrain of Glacial Park. It occurs annually the third weekend in October just as the prairie grasses and trees display their vibrant colors.

The McHenry County Conservation District presents the Trail of History with the assistance of numerous volunteers and other areas and re-enactors from across the country.