Courthouse Lectures

Scan of an advertisement that appeared in the March 26, 1940 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding Dwight Green, Republican candidate for Illinois Governor speaking at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

Dwight H. Green, Republican Candidate for Governor, March 1940. For Republican candidates with statewide aspirations, McHenry County's Old Courthouse & Jail was always a frequent stop on the campaign trail.

The Old McHenry County Courthouse and Jail has always been the political nerve center for the entirety of the county. However, it has also played a crucial role in State politics as well.

Since it was built, politicians and influential people have traveled far and wide to speak at the Courthouse to crowds gathered in the Square. Its central location to both the City and the County have made it an attractive location for campaign events and keynote speeches. 

Examine the articles below to see how the Courthouse has served as a past venue for political lectures and debates. 

Scan of an article that appeared in the January 11, 1860 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by Thomas Brown who was imprisoned in Kentucky for the alleged crime of aiding in the escape of a fugitive slave.

January 11 1860 | Thomas Brown Pro-Slavery Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the February 15, 1860 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding H. F. Douglas speaking about slavery at court house.

 February 15 1860 | H. F. Douglass Pro-Slavery Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the June 27, 1860 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding former slave W. J. Anderson give a lecture at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

June 27 1860 | W. J. Anderson- A Former Slave- To Give Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the July 4, 1860 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by former slave W. J. Anderson at the Courthouse in Woodstock, IL.

July 4 1860 | W. J. Anderson Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the August 22, 1860 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by E. B. Washburne lecture at Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

August 22 1860 | E. B. Washburne Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the January 29, 1862 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by Sherman Booth at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

January 29 1862 | Sherman Booth Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the March 12, 1862 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a pro-slavery lecture by C.M. Willard at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

March 12 1862 | Major C. M. Willard Pro-Slavery Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the August 20, 1862 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by Col. Farnsworth of the 8th Illinois Cavalry at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

August 20 1862 | Col. Farnsworth of the 8th Illinois Calvary Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the September 3, 1862 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by Lt. Colonel F. S. Joslyn at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

September 3 1862 | Lt. Colonel F. S. Joslyn Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the July 8, 1862 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by Sherman Booth at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

July 8 1863 | Sherman Booth Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the July 7, 1870 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a a lecture by Professor M. C. McKinney at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

 July 7 1870 | Professor M. C. McKinney Lecture at Courthouse 

Scan of an article that appeared in the September 29, 1870 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a a lecture by General John Logan at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

September 29 1870 | Maj. General Logan Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the October 13, 1870 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by General John Logan at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

October 13 1870 | Maj. General Logan Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the October 27, 1870 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by General Farnsworth at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

October 27 1870 | General Farnsworth Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the November 14, 1872 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by General Hurlbut at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

November 14 1872 | General Hurlbut Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the October 29, 1874 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by Governor Beveridge at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

October 29 1874 | Gov. Beveridge Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the October 21, 1880 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by Governor Cullom at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

October 21 1880 | Gov. Cullom Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the April 19, 1900 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by H. Darwin McIlrath at the courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

April 19 1900 | H. Darwin McIlrath Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the January 9, 1913 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by the Honorable B.F Staymates at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

April 16 1914 | Honorable B. F. Staymates to Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the October 23, 1917 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by L.M. Featherstone at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

October 23 1917 | Mrs. L. M. Featherstone to Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the October 25, 1922 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding Illinois Governor Yates delivering a lecture at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

October 25 1922 | Gov. Yates Delivers Keynote Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the September 26, 1924 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by Charles S. Deneen, candidate for U.S. Senate, at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

September 26 1924 | Charles Deneen Visits Woodstock for Courthouse Lecture

Scan of an article that appeared in the March 18, 1926 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by Senator William McKinley at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

March 18 1926 | Senator William McKinley to Give Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an advertisement that appeared in the March 19, 1930 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding a lecture by Senator Charles Deneen at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

March 19 1930 | Senator Chas S. Deen to Lecture at Courthouse

Scan of an article that appeared in the March 29, 1940 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel newspaper regarding Dwight Green, Republican candidate for Illinois Governor speaking at the Courthouse in Woodstock, Illinois.

March 29 1940 | Dwight H. Green Lectures at Courthouse

1968-09-11 (ws) pic - richard ogilvie at courthouse.jpg

September 11 1968 | Gubernatorial Candidate Richard B. Ogilvie Lectures at Courthouse