History Belongs to All of Us: Preamble & Potluck - A Seat at the Table
When
Jul 30, 2026
6:00pm–7:30pm
Cost
Free. Registration is required.
Join us for an evening of community conversation, history, and corned beef and cabbage as we explore the enduring ideals of the Preamble and Declaration of Independence while celebrating McHenry County’s oldest tree, a living witness to American history.
This is the first event in the "History Belongs to All of Us" conversation series presented in partnership with the McHenry County Historical Society & Museum. Save the date for the remaining events in the series on August 6 and 13.
For more information, please visit mchenrycountyhistory.org.
More About...
Community Conversations: History Belongs to All of Us
“History Belongs to All of Us,” part of Illinois Humanities' Community Conversations program, explores treasures from Illinois archives and collections to uncover how the people who lived in Illinois before, during, and after the founding of the United States responded to this world-changing document. While Illinois would not be part of the United States until 1783, it was diverse with European immigrants from mostly France and Britain living alongside Native Kaskaskia, Peoria, Michigamea, Moingwena, Tamoroa, and Cahokia tribes. Enslaved Fulani, Ashanti, Yoruba, and Mandinka people -- immigrants against their will -- labored in salt mines, agriculture, and service in different parts of the territory even through early statehood. In this way, Illinois reflected the complex history of the nation itself as the Declaration of Independence and its influence spread across the globe.