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Tickets go on sale November 1 for the Mount Prospect Historical Society’s 37^th annual Holiday Housewalk which will highlight the neighborhoods around Weller Creek, east of Route 83.  The walk will be held from 3:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5.

The interiors of six private homes, built between 1954 and 1989, will be featured on the tour this year.

The homes which will have their interiors featured this year are: 310 E. Hiawatha Trail, owned by Brian and Devon Wojciechowski; 311 E. Berkshire Lane, owned by Bill and Anne Barrett; 400 E. Berkshire Lane, owned by Tom and Stacy Dubinski; 700 S. Emerson St., owned by Jason and Lisa Royal; 1 W. Orchard Place, owned by Mark and Katie Szarmek; and 3 W. Orchard Place, owned by Keith and Amy Saddler.

All of the homes will be exciting to tour in their own ways, whether because of the lovely decorating, Mid-Century Modern touches or renovation work that has been done, according to JP Karlov, Housewalk co-chairperson.

The tour will begin in a tent at the corner of Lonnquist Boulevard and Main Street where last minute tickets will be sold; refreshments will be offered; and watercolors of the featured houses will be displayed.  Museum store items and tickets for a raffle will also be sold there. The “will call” table for tour tickets ordered online will also be located in the tent.

As usual, this walking tour will be accented by beautifully lit luminaria.  Parking will be available along neighborhood streets.

Commentary in the homes will be provided by volunteers from local organizations, businesses, schools and the community.  Homeowners will provide the decorations. 

Non-refundable tickets will be sold for $30 each through Dec. 4 at the Mount Prospect Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson St.; River Trails’ Weiss Center, 1500 E. Euclid Ave.; the Central Community Center, 1000 W. Central Rd.; Millie’s Hallmark, 1024 S. Elmhurst Rd.; and the Dietrich Friedrichs House museum, 101 S. Maple St.

Tickets are also available online. Those tickets can be picked up at a “will call” desk located at the tent headquarters during the walk.

Last-minute decision-makers may also purchase tickets on the day of the walk, beginning at 3 p.m. at the headquarters tent, but the cost will be $35 per person at that time.

“The Housewalk is the Society’s largest fund-raiser of the year,” Karlov explained.  “Its proceeds support the many educational endeavors of the Society and help to pay for upkeep on our museum.  We urge the public to support our effort to preserve local history through enjoying the Housewalk and our other activities throughout the year.”

David Hoppe, an author of numerous essays, columns and works of short fiction, grew up in Mount Prospect during the 1950s and 1960s and one of his published works covers life in the Village during his formative years.

He and his family, along with their Mount Prospect neighbors, shared shock at Kennedy’s assassination; argued about racism during the March on Washington; and realized that the Beatles signaled the end of an enforceable school dress code.

Hoppe explores a fascinating time in Mount Prospect that is often glossed over in local history books, so it is enjoyable to be privy to his point of view.

“We will discuss his experiences growing up in Mount Prospect where he participated in community activities and how he experienced rapid change like the replacement of farm fields with Randhurst Mall and Prospect High School,” explained Martha Nelson, professional librarian and member of the Society’s Board of Directors.

He also discusses how a principal of Central School unsuccessfully tried to impose a dress code rule there after The Beatles with their long hair appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.

“He couldn’t see that the world he had been trained to perpetuate was already in the rearview mirror,” Hoppe stated in his book.

“Hoppe also discusses how he and his family observed and interpreted cultural change in their own lives,” Nelson continued. “His family owned and operated a small factory in Chicago, employing Black and Hispanic workers. Hoppe said his father had to give up his own pay raise to give the workers an increase, raising the anger of his grandfather.”

This book discussion will offer a unique opportunity to delve into the rich history and personal anecdotes that shaped a generation. Whether you grew up during the Baby Boom or are simply interested in Mount Prospect’s history, this event promises to be enlightening and enjoyable.

If you wish to participate, sign up at www.mtphist.org/mphsbookclub/. The suggested donation for the discussion is $5. You may also phone 847-392-9006 for more information.