Mount Prospect Historical Society

#wrap

Breaking News

“Lucille Ball” Scheduled to Visit the Mount Prospect Historical Society

Leslie Goddard as Lucille Ball
Leslie Goddard as Lucille Ball

Leslie Goddard, a well-known and talented portrayer of historic women, will visit the Mount Prospect Historical Society’s historic Central Schoolhouse, 103 S. Maple St., at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025 for a first-person presentation on the life of comedienne Lucille Ball.

Attendees will enjoy tea, pastries and other treats during the presentation. 

In the 1950s, Lucille Ball captured the hearts of television audiences across the nation.  Her wacky hijinks and fearless enthusiasm kept thousands laughing.  Off-screen, she and her real-life husband Desi Arnaz launched their own television studio and pioneered new technologies.  But what does it mean when an on-screen legend clashes with her off-screen reality?

In this historic portrayal, historian and actress Leslie Goddard brings Lucy to life, paying tribute to both the true comic legend and the real woman behind the scenes.

Goddard is an award-winning actress and scholar who has been presenting history programs for more than 20 years.  She holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, specializing in American studies and U.S. history, as well as a master’s degree in theater.

A former museum director, she is the author of three books on history and currently works full-time as an author and public speaker, portraying memorable women from the past and telling historical stories so that lessons from the past are more entertaining, educational and inspiring.

The cost of the tea is $25 for Society members and $30 for non-members, plus an on-line handling fee. Take note that attendance is limited to 36 people, ages 18 and over. Advance registration is required and there are no refunds.  Visit www.mtphist.org/afternoon-teas/ to register.

Mount Prospect Historical Society Book Club will Discuss Memoir About Growing Up in the Village

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.

“Midcentury Boy: My Suburban Childhood from Ike to the Beatles” provides a glimpse into Mount Prospect’s history through the perspective of a young Baby Boomer. Hoppe’s family moved to Mount Prospect in 1950 and in the book, he recalls witnessing the transformation of the cornfield behind their new house into Prospect High School; how his mother frequented Meeske’s for groceries; and his time in the Cub Scouts.

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.

The Mount Prospect Historical Society will hold a discussion of Hoppe’s book at 7 p.m., Thursday, November 14, 2024 in the Society’s 1896 schoolhouse at 103 S. Maple St. And most exciting – the author will participate in the discussion and read passages of his book — by Zoom.

“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.

Housewalk 2024

Tickets go on sale November 1, 2024 for the Mount Prospect Historical Society’s 36th annual Holiday Housewalk which will highlight the We-Go Park and Bobby Lane neighborhoods north of the Mt. Prospect Country Club.  The walk will be held from 3:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

The interiors of six private homes, built between 1962 and 2016, will be featured on the tour this year.

The homes which will have their interiors featured this year are: 1211 W. Lincoln Street,  owned by George and Suzanne Busse; 210 S. Bobby Lane, owned by Kristin Almeirgi and Vincent Haufle; 305 S. Lancaster Street, owned by Kristin and Jeff Michalczk; 201 S. Lancaster Street, owned by Kristen and Michael Favia; 200 S. We-Go Trail, owned by Kristin and BJ Lindstrom; and 204 S. We-Go Trail, owned by Nayia and Joe Sivulka.

All of the homes will be exciting to tour in their own ways, whether because of the lovely decorating, the new construction 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 Kenilworth Avenue and Pendleton Place 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. 5 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 at www.mtphist.org.  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.”

Phone the Society at 847-392-9006 for more information.

This year’s Walk is sponsored by Hearth & Home, Busse Automotive, Novak and Parker appliances, the Mt. Prospect Park District and Mrs. P & Me.

Tickets ordered online will be available for pickup on Thursday, December 5 from 6:00-7:00 pm at the Dolores Haugh Education Center, located at the top of the driveway behind the museum (101 S. Maple Street). There will also be a Will Call table at the event in the tent headquarters where tickets can be picked up starting at 3:00 pm.

Online ticket sales are now closed. You can still purchase tickets for $35 at the headquarters tent at the Housewalk. The headquarters tent is located at the intersection of Kenilworth Avenue and Pendleton Place.