Purchase Trail of History patch or medallions from years past...
We have a large inventory of most of the past year's patches and medallions at the Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake. Contact the Prairieview Education Center for additional information or to check availability, (815) 479-5779 or education@mccdistrict.org.
Cost: 2011 patches–$3.00; medallions–$5.00 | Past year's patches–$2.00; medallions–$4.00
Don’t just visit, be a part of it—volunteer! Learn more…
Saturday & Sunday,
October 20 & 21, 2012
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 schedule of 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.
Advance Ticket Sales:
Tickets will go on sale in August and can be purchased in person through 4:30 p.m. on October 8 or if postmarked by October 4 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).
Admission: In Advance/At the Gate
Adults: $5/$7
Seniors (60+) & Children 6-12: $2/$3
Children 5 and under– FREE
Prairieview Education Center — 2112 Behan Rd, Crystal Lake
M–Sat 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sun. 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 only.
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 the District 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.
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History of the Event
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 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.

