We offer a rich local history collection assembled by the award-winning Linda Stengele. Among our treasures listed below, you can even find fun facts about the early days of the library:
● In January 1936, the Village appointed a Library Board and accepted a $65 donation from the Norge Ski Club.
● Our first librarian, Miss Graves, came to the library thanks to the WPA, and she catalogued the library's 300 books.
● By 1951, the library held 2200 books and was open weekdays 3:30-4:30pm for children, and 7:30-8:30pm Thursdays for all others.
Collection Contents
- Library scrapbooks: 1954- early 2000's
- Community/historical scrapbooks: 1942- early 2000's
- School photos binder
- "Village of Fox River Grove officials" binder
- Lists of gifts/memorials given to the library: 1955-2003
- Balloonport binder
- Train station & village redevelopment binder
- Binders on Fox River Grove residents, businesses, and telephone books
- Norge Ski Club binders: 1905-present
- Czechoslovakian Newsletters
- Binders on Fox River Grove Friends of the Library
- Binders on the Fox River Grove Lions Club
- VHS tapes about Village history
- Historical photographs
- Other items dating as far back as 1834
And More!
We also have historical information on Algonquin Township, Cary, Chicago, Huntley, Nunda Township, and several items on McHenry County, including:
● Cemeteries and obituaries: Cary, McHenry County, and Nunda & Algonquin townships
● IL Turner camp binder
● Biographical index to McHenry County
● McHenry county marriages: 1837-1899
● Books about McHenry county: 1832-1968, 1995