Colonel Palmer House

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Colonel Palmer House Our mission is to preserve the home of Gustavus and Henrietta Palmer, provide a venue for local history.

10/16/2026

🎓📜 History meets friendly competition at the Colonel Palmer House! Our Lunch and Learn: Crystal Lake Jeopardy program, hosted by Diana Kenney of the Crystal Lake Historical Society, brought local history to life with fun facts, fascinating stories, and a little friendly trivia! 🏛️✨

We have a few spots still available for 'Lunch & Learn-the Cobbler'Advance registration requiredFri, Oct 23, Noon-2 pm a...
10/13/2026

We have a few spots still available for 'Lunch & Learn-the Cobbler'
Advance registration required
Fri, Oct 23, Noon-2 pm at Colonel Palmer House
$26 res/$34 non-res (includes lunch)

For 118 years Heisler's Bootery has remained not only the pillar of comforting footwear, but also the oldest family-owned business in McHenry County. Join local educator and 3rd generation cobbler, Jim Heisler as he shares his wisdom on the history of Heisler's Bootery and how it came to be.

Register in advance by clicking on the program code on page 24 of the digital guide
https://view.publitas.com/clpd/programs/page/26-27

The Colonel Palmer House will be closed on Sat, Oct 10. Come visit The Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center for Nat...
10/08/2026

The Colonel Palmer House will be closed on Sat, Oct 10.
Come visit The Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center for Nature Center History Day.

🌿 A Sneak Peek into Local History! 🌿

How did Veteran Acres, the Nature Center, Sterne’s Woods, and Wingate Prairie come to be?

Join us October 10 at the Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center (330 N. Main St.) for a day of history, guided hikes, crafts, presentations, and trivia! FREE, just drop-in.

Discover the people and stories behind these treasured places, including Sterne's Woods and Ted Sterne, Wingate Prairie and William “Bill” Wingate, and the history of the Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center.

10 AM–2 PM: Guided hikes
3 PM: Nature Center History Presentation
4 PM: History Trivia

Come explore, discover, and celebrate a Crystal Lake treasure, the Nature Center.
photo credits: Crystal Lake Historical Society

The Colonel Palmer House will be getting into some 'Hocus Pocus' at Main Beach today, Fri, Oct 2. and we will be closing...
10/02/2026

The Colonel Palmer House will be getting into some 'Hocus Pocus' at Main Beach today, Fri, Oct 2. and we will be closing at 3:30pm!!!

Make sure to come visit us on Sat, Oct 3 , 10 am-2 pm for our FREE Botanical Bash community event!
Details below::

Spots are still available for ALL DATES!Join the Crystal Lake Park District Lunch & Learn Series at the historic Colonel...
09/29/2026

Spots are still available for ALL DATES!

Join the Crystal Lake Park District Lunch & Learn Series at the historic Colonel Palmer House. Enjoy a delicious lunch while exploring local history and fun Crystal Lake topics!

Upcoming Dates & Topics

Fri, Oct. 9: A Walk Down Swedenberg’s Woodstock St.

Fri, Oct. 16: Crystal Lake Jeopardy

Sat, Oct. 17: Crystal Lake Jeopardy

Fri, Oct. 23: The Cobbler: History of Heisler’s Bootery

Noon–2 p.m.
Ages 12+
$26 residents / $34 non-residents, per date
Lunch provided

Don’t miss your chance to enjoy an afternoon of local history, stories, and lunch at Colonel Palmer House. Registration is still open for every date!

More information and the link to online registration can be found on page 24 of the digital guide: view.publitas.com/clpd/programs/page/26-27

Colonel Palmer House is closed today, Fri, Sep 11.
09/11/2026

Colonel Palmer House is closed today, Fri, Sep 11.

Step back in time, explore the house and join us for a variety of fall programs and FREE drop-in activities for all ages...
09/10/2026

Step back in time, explore the house and join us for a variety of fall programs and FREE drop-in activities for all ages!

Come Visit Colonel Palmer House
Thursdays & Fridays, 11 am–5 pm
Saturdays, 10 am–4 pm

FREE Monthly Drop-In Crafts
September: Apple Stamps
October: Seed Decor
November: Turkey Tails
December: Swedish Art

Fall Programs
🐝 The Bee’s Knees — Sat, Sept. 19 | Ages 7+
🏛️ Venture Mount Olympus — Fri, Sept. 25 | Ages 7–13
🕵️ Super Sleuths: Private Eye — Ages 7–13
🪵 Birdhouse Gourds — Sat, Nov. 7 | Ages 10+
🎃 Hello Squash — Sat, Nov. 12 | Ages 2–6

FREE Fall Drop-In Events — All Ages
🍃 Botanical Bash — Sat, Oct. 3
🔎 Nature Center History Day — Sat, Oct. 10 at the Nature Center

Ready to explore? Find program details and register on pages 21–23 of the digital activity guide!
https://view.publitas.com/clpd/programs/page/23

Crystal Lake Park District Lunch & Learn Series at Colonel Palmer HouseAges 12+Noon-2 pm$26 res/$34 non-res, per dateLun...
09/02/2026

Crystal Lake Park District Lunch & Learn Series at Colonel Palmer House
Ages 12+
Noon-2 pm
$26 res/$34 non-res, per date
Lunch provided
Fri, Oct 9: A Walk Down Swedenberg's Woodstock St
Fri, Oct 16: Crystal Lake Jeopardy
Sat, Oct 17: Crystal Lake Jeopardy
Fri, Oct 23: The Cobbler: History of Heisler's Bootery
More info and link to online registration on page 24 of the digital guide view.publitas.com/clpd/programs/page/26-27

08/22/2026

Stop by ‘Way Back When’ free, family special event at Colonel Palmer House until 2 pm today (Sat, Aug 22). Learn about historic games, crafts, gardening and culinary plus live music.

Free, Family Fun this Weekend!-Way Back When-Sat, Aug 22, 10 am-2 pmColonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta AveFall bac...
08/20/2026

Free, Family Fun this Weekend!
-Way Back When-
Sat, Aug 22, 10 am-2 pm
Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Ave
Fall back in time on the Palmer House grounds where we will be featuring historic culinary demos, old time gardening, games and crafts along with live music!

The Colonel Palmer House was built c.1858 by settlers Gustavus and Henrietta Palmer. Located on its original site, the home was entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Currently the home is maintained by the Crystal Lake Park District and is home to the Crystal Lake Historical Society.

For more information or questions, contact Sarah Taylor, [email protected].

Address

660 E. Terra Cotta Avenue
Crystal Lake, IL
60014

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(815) 477-5873

Website

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