McHenry County Visitors Bureau moves to Huntley

HUNTLEY – In order to expand its visibility in the northwest suburbs, the McHenry County Visitors Bureau has chosen to come to Huntley.

The Bureau is relocating its visitors center from Crystal Lake to Huntley, into one of the villages’ historical houses at Route 47 and Main Street. It’s the Hackett House, located just behind the village’s new electronic monument sign on the southeast corner of Main and 47.

Scott Lindsey, a member of the Huntley Historical Society, said the home was originally owned by the Hackett family, one of the town’s early settlers in the 19th century.

“It was also once used as a hotel,” he added.

The building has been vacant in recent years.

“We were kind of hidden in a large commercial area on Dakota Street in Crystal Lake, and we needed more visibility,” said Jaki Berggren, executive director of the MCCVB. “When we found out the village was upgrading its downtown area and this building was available, we contacted Victor Narusis, the village’s economic development director, and came to an agreement. This building will give us more of a home feel, which we believe is important to our image.”

The village is currently upgrading the home at a cost of at least $200,000, and will rent it to the bureau.

The building will house a two-person paid bureau staff and distribute literature about the county’s tourism opportunities, commerce and industry, restaurants, hotels, shopping, outdoor recreation facilities, and upcoming civic events throughout the county, Berggren said.

“We’re working with the Illinois Department of Transportation to get a sign put up somewhere along Route 47. Visitors will also get information about our website.”

Rendering of the renovated Hackett House, soon to be the McHenry County Visitors Bureau. (Photo provided)

The Bureau lists dozens of county attractions on its website. Some of the best known are the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, the town square and opera house in Woodstock, the “world’s largest corn maze” in Richardson’s Adventure Farm in Spring Grove, the Sanfilippo estate in Barrington Hills—with its collections of restored antique music machines, a spectacular European salon carousel, and the world’s largest restored theatre pipe organ—and the riverwalk in the town of McHenry.

“We are still seeking volunteers to work at our reception desk and greet people,” Berggren said. “Also, the county’s historical society will have displays in the facility about our county’s history.”

For more information on volunteering, Berggren can be contacted at 815-893-6280.

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