Demonstrations–Entertainment–Military Tactics–Pioneer Games–Metis Village
Fur Traders–Medicine Show–Food Vendors and much more!
Saturday & Sunday,
October 16 & 17, 2010
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)
A map and schedule of the events will be posted in early October.
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
Advance Ticket Sales:
Tickets will go on sale August 1 and can be purchased in person through 4:30 p.m. on October 10 or if postmarked by October 6 for mail in requests.
Prices are $5 for adults and $2 for seniors (60+) and youth ages 6-12 payable by cash or checks made payable to MCCD (no credit card sales).
Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Rd, Crystal Lake
M-Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sat. 1-5 p.m. Payment by cash or check only.
Brookdale, Administrative Office, 18410 US Highway 14, Woodstock M-F 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Payment by cash or check.
Mail Orders: Send to TOH Ticket Sales, Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 and must include a check payable to MCCD for the number of tickets ordered as well as a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Tickets are non-refundable! The only exception will be if MCCD must cancel the event for any reason.
Tickets may be used on either day of the event, but are good for only one day.
There are no additional discounts for group sales.
For information, call Prairieview Education Center (815) 479-5779.
Don’t just visit the Trail of History. Be a part of it – volunteer!
Contact: Denice Beck, Volunteer Coordinator at (815) 338-6223, ext. 229; or volunteers@mccdistrict.org.
Costumed and non-costumed positions are available.
Individuals and families have enjoyed stepping back in time at the Trail of History at Glacial Park for over twenty years! Did you know that you can be a part of the Trail this year? No experience is necessary - just an interest in history and a passion for interacting with visitors at this very special event!
Costumed volunteers demonstrate historical crafts and life ways, that include candlemaking, log house family living, traditional cooking, children's games, cornhusk doll-making, and military tactics. Historical volunteers make their own costumes from our simple patterns.
There is also a need for non-costumed volunteers to help with visitor's services and groundskeeping duties.
Sound interesting? Volunteers must be at least age 14. Children under age 14 are invited to participate with their families or adult guardian.
You can still sign up to volunteer at the Trail of History by contacting
the Volunteer Coordinator at (815) 338-6223 x229.
Costume Check and Skills Training: For New & Returning Volunteers
Thursday, September 23
Wiedrich Education Center in Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Rd., Ringwood
6:30–9:00 pm Costume check drop-in
New volunteers who will be attending a training class should allow additional time to have their costume checked.
6:30–7:30 pm Cornhusk Doll Station Training class for new & returning volunteers
8:00–8:30 pm Candlemaking Training for new & returning volunteers
HISTORICAL RE-ENACTORS/PARTICIPANTS Contact:
Deb Chapman, MCCD Education Manager
815-479-5779; dchapman@mccdistrict.org
Kim Caldwell,
Trail of History Booshway
815-678-2219; kcaldwell@mccdistrict.org.
TRAIL OF HISTORY EVENT ATTRACTIONS
• 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.