Huntley Historical Society Invites Residents to a Trip Back in Time

Pam Fender is a newbie considering that other members of the Huntley Historical Society have family members whose last names are listed on street signs and landmarks.

“Huntley has a huge history,” Fender said. “We are older than a lot of the towns here and there is so much history.”

Fender hopes new residents, like herself, take an interest in that history and attend a series of events the Huntley Historical Society has planned for Look at Local History Month on Saturday, May 5.

The day starts with tours of the . Stillwell was the founder of Huntley and lived on Woodstock Street. Tom and Barb Conley own the home. Barb is president of the society.

“It’s a house that is stunningly done and full of antiques,” Fender said.

A local Girl Scout Troop will be the docents and will read scripts providing historical details about the home, she said.

Saturday’s events are aimed at celebrating the community’s farming heritage. A major part of Huntley’s history is its dairy farms — Fender said Huntley was the milk capital of the United States in the 1800s.

The Huntley Historical Society also is honoring local farm families, who have been invited to the open house. Displays will showcase Huntley farmers.

Farm families, along with longtime Huntley residents, will be interviewed for the society’s “Living Histories” project.

“Personal invitations were sent to the patriarchs and matriarchs of every family in town,” Fender said. “We are asking those families to come and tell their stories. There are generations of people we are trying to get to.”

Fender and other members have done four “Living Histories” so far, videotaping Huntley residents who have shared their own personal history and the history of the town. The first story was of Al Jordi, a World War II veteran and longtime Huntley resident.

Frances Kreutzer, whose husband’s family has farmed in Huntley since before the Civil War, has also been interviewed. Fender said Kreutzer, who grew up in St. Charles, was considered a city girl when she married and moved to Huntley.

Kreutzer recalled at time when movies were shown in the town square on Saturday nights, and waking up to cows standing outside her window, Fender said.

Fender encourages families to do their own “living histories” with members of their families. “You just set up a camera and start recording,” she said. It’s a good way for families to record their oral histories forever.

The Huntley Historical Society still is working on getting 100 charter members. It has about 80 members. New members receive a brick from the Marlowe Feed building that was torn down last year. Fender stenciled each brink with the building’s image.

She hopes people visiting the open house decide to join the Huntley Historical Society.

If you go:

• Thomas Stillwell Huntley House Tour

When: 9 a.m. to noon

Where: 10904 Woodstock St. (corner of Woodstock and 3rd streets)

About: The Stillwell house belonged to the founder of Huntley, who was also a farmer in the area. Guests will be able to tour the house. A donation of $5 per adult is requested to benefit the society.

• Huntley Historical Society Open House

When: Noon to 3 p.m.

Where: Huntley American Legion Hall, 11712 W. Coral St.

About: The Huntley Historical Society is recognizing Huntley’s farming heritage by hosting an open house.

• Classic car/tractor show

When: 9 a.m. to noon

Where: 10911 N. Woodstock (old St. Mary’s parking lot)

About: A classic car/tractor show, free. Anyone with a car or tractor can contact Fender at pamfenderhuntley@msn.com.