Woodstock is a growing, vibrant community with strong commitments to long-held historic, cultural, educational, healthy-living, and healthy-environment values.

First established in 1844, the City was called Centerville, referencing its central location in McHenry County and the fact that it serves as the seat of our county government. In 1845, Centerville was renamed Woodstock and has celebrated significant recognition over the years, being named an All-America City in 1964, a Certified City in 1987, a National Trust Distinctive Destination in 2007, and most recently, a Preserve America Community. The Woodstock Square is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and rests in the center of the City’s Historic District. Pillars of the district include the historic Woodstock Opera House, theatrical home of renowned performers Orson Welles, Paul Newman, Betsy Palmer, Tom Bosley, Shelley Berman, Lois Nettleton and Geraldine Page, and the Old Courthouse, today’s home of the Old Courthouse Arts Center. Surrounding the Square are a number of beautifully restored Victorian homes, many of which have been plaqued by the Historic Preservation Commission in recognition of their significance to the City’s history and architectural diversity. As our City motto states, Woodstock is “True to its past and confident of its future.”