Saturday, October 17 & 18
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Glacial Park 6316 Harts Rd., Ringwood
(located off of Rt. 31 between the cities of McHenry & Richmond)
printable map
Demonstrations - Entertainment - Military Tactics
Pioneer Games - Metis Village - Fur Traders - Medicine Show- Food Vendors and much more!
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 & Children 6-12: $2/$3
Children 5 and under - FREE
Tickets are available after Sept. 1st at:
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.
For information, call Prairieview Education Center 815-479-5779. 
VOLUNTEERS!!!
Want to participate in the Trail of History?
DISTRICT TENT VOLUNTEERS/NON RE-ENACTORS Contact:
Denice Beck, Volunteer Coordinator
815-338-6223, ext. 229; volunteers@mccdistrict.org.
Costumed and non-costumed positions are available.
TRAIL OF HISTORY VOLUNTEER MEETINGS held at
Wiedrich Education Center in Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Rd., Ringwood
NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION & Costume Meeting
Sunday, July 26 from 2-4 p.m. or Thursday, August 6 from 7-9 p.m.
The first hour is how you can get involved; the second hour is for those who wish
to learn how to make their simple period-appropriate costume.
SIGN UP NIGHT!!
Thursday, August 13 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Stop by and sign up for your favorite position and time shift.
Costume Check & Skills Training
Thursday, August 13, 7-8:30 p.m.
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
• Marvel at the swordmanship skils!
• 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, fortune tellers 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.