Margaret "Peggy" Stuntz

The Margaret Stuntz Papers contain research, photographs and plays from Margaret Stuntz who writes and directs historical plays for the McHenry County Historical Society. Stuntz began writing historical plays for the McHenry County Historical Society in 2003. She strives for historical accuracy, and draws inspiration from letters, diary entries, journals and newspapers to write the plays. The first play by Stuntz at the McHenry County Historical Society was “The George Washington Bennett Wake,” in October of 2003. Bennett was an early settler of Marengo and the play depicts frontier times in Illinois. The papers include a script, Bennett family genealogy, and photographs from the play, historical houses, and gravestones. In 2004, Stuntz was involved with the production of “The Wake of Winnifried May Lincoln McIntyre.” Winnie Lincoln was the daughter of early McHenry County settlers. Included is a script, music, and photographs of the play. Included with the research are extensive Lincoln and McIntyre family genealogies and obituaries. The third play, “The Wake of Lucius Barber” was performed in October, 2005. Barber was a Civil War soldier and prisoner at Andersonville Prison camp in Georgia where he died of tuberculosis. Barber also wrote Army Memoirs of Lucius Barber, 1865. Included with this collection is a script, photos of the production, photos of his grave site and home, and an encore presentation in 2006. A “Historic and Haunted Seance” was performed in 2007. This play focused on a clairvoyant who tries to contact early McHenry County settler families of Thomas, Noyes and Coquilette. The play showcases the California Gold Rush, Civil War, Richmond Il, Lincoln’s assassination, and capture of John Wilkes Booth. Production photos are included. In 2008, Stuntz and the McHenry County Historical Society put on the performance of “Death Fight in Love City.” This play showcased Dr. Alfred J. Moore and his commune at Heaven City, near Harvard Il. These papers contain information on Moore, the Life Institute cult of Chicago, numerous newspaper articles on Heaven City and genealogy on the Moore and Shirley Talcott families. In 2009, Stunts and the Kirkland Historical Society put on the production “Riding into History, Illinois 8th Calvary.” This play depicts the story of the 8th Illinois Calvary and Col. John Farnsworth. Included with these papers are scene organizations, a script, music and photos. Additionally included with the Margaret Stuntz papers is a book she authored, “Kirkland: Then and Now,” 2007. This is a historical depiction of Kirkland’s history from 1842 to 2007, with some of the actual descendants providing information about their ancestors. A DVD is also included. The Margaret Stuntz papers also include research on John Beveridge, Ellis Buck, DeKalb County, the Farnsworth Family, William Gamble, Dr. Abner Hard, Harvey Augustus Humphry, 8th Illinois Calvary, Illinois Calvary Rosters, Marcellus Jones, William H. Medill, Theodore Stull, Henry Sheldon, and Silas Wesson.