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Mount Prospect Historical Society

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Breaking News

April 19, 2024 By officeadmin

“Lady Churchill,” Winston’s Mother, to Visit the Mount Prospect Historical Society

Lynn Rymarz, 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, June 1, 2024 for a first-person presentation on the life of Lady Churchill, a New York socialite who married into the upper echelons of British society and became the mother of Sir Winston Churchill.

Attendees will enjoy tea, pastries and fruit during the presentation.

The year was 1917. America had just entered World War I and socialite Jennie Jerome married

Sir Randolph Churchill and became a part of the inner circle of the royal family during Queen Victoria’s reign.

Step back in time and see the world through Lady Randolph Churchill’s eyes. Hear how this independent-minded New York socialite left her mark on British society by writing plays, books, articles and political speeches for her husband and even publishing a British magazine.

Learn also how she influenced Winston and watched his rise in British politics. Historical letters, books and photographs will be shared.

Rymarz has entertained audiences with her portrayals of historical women since 2005. As a children’s author and storyteller, she enjoys sharing little-known historical stories. Her performances have included Mary Lincoln, Martha Washington, Susan B. Anthony, Mary Surratt, Nellie Bly, The Unsinkable Margaret Brown, Mary Cassatt, Zelda Fitzgerald and Julia Child.

Cost of the tea is $20 for Society members and $25 for non-members. Take note that attendance is limited to 45 people, ages 18 and over. Advance registration is required and there are no refunds.  Visit www.mtphist.org/afternoon-teas/ to register.

Filed Under: Breaking News

February 21, 2024 By officeadmin

Summer Youth Programs 2024

Classes meet on the driveway outside of the Dolores Haugh Education Center. (located behind the museum at 101 S. Maple Street)

Each program costs $25 and is open to kids ages 7 and up. Space is limited. Registration is non-refundable.

Registration is now closed.

Filed Under: Breaking News

February 7, 2024 By officeadmin

Mount Prospect Historical Society Offers Monthly ‘Bessie’s Workbasket’ Craft Classes for Adults

Have you ever seen a beautiful, unique craft or piece of needlework and wondered how you could ever learn to make something like that?

For the past two years Mount Prospect Historical Society volunteers Martha Nelson and Nancy Corry have been teaching crafts from around the world once a month to enthusiastic adult students and have developed quite a following. In fact, they are now offering their classes both in the morning, from 10 a.m. to noon, and in the evening, from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second Wednesday of each month in Central School, 103 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect.

Participants have created fleece blankets for Project Linus, a non-profit organization that provides handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need; woven rugs, trivets and small baskets for themselves from old t-shirts; made coasters using the Japanese sashiko stitchery technique; and much more.

All experience levels are welcome to attend and try each month’s spotlight project for $10. Advance registration is recommended.

For instance, on Feb. 14, 2024 they will be learning to “Knit Like a Viking.” Trichinopoly or Viking knitting makes a filigree cord out of metal!  Early examples of this ancient technique were found in 8th-century Scandinavian burial sites, and the design is still fashionable today.  They will make a bracelet using simple tools and wire.

In March 2024, the group will be making wool hook “mug rugs” (like coasters). In the 19th century, women used every bit of fabric to make something useful. They made quilts, rugs for the floor and hangings for the walls. Learn how to take recycled wool strips and make something useful!

Then, on April 10, 2024 they will be making a bookmark using a bargello pattern. Bargello is a type of needlepoint embroidery consisting of upright flat stitches laid in a mathematical pattern to create motifs. The name originates from a series of chairs found in the Bargello Palace in Florence that have a “flame stitch” pattern.

Traditionally, Bargello was stitched in wool on canvas. Embroidery done this way is remarkably durable. It is well suited for use on pillows, upholstery and even carpets, but not for clothing. In most traditional pieces, all stitches are vertical with stitches going over two or more threads. Traditional designs are very colorful, and use many hues of one color, which produces intricate shading effects. The patterns are naturally geometric.

Punch needle coasters, candlewicking, ribbon embroidery, quilling and Temari balls are also in the plans.

To peruse the craft offerings, please click here to register. Registration is limited.

Filed Under: Breaking News

January 12, 2024 By officeadmin

Vanished Mount Prospect

Vanished Mount Prospect is a new video series (2024) highlighting places that are gone but not forgotten.

Episode 3 – Prospect Theatre
Episode 2 – Goldblatt’s Department Store
Episode 1 – Zenith Broadcasting Station

Filed Under: Breaking News

January 9, 2024 By officeadmin

MPHS Book Club

The MPHS Book Club delves into historical works and meets on designated dates at 7:00 pm in Central School (103 S. Maple St.). Free to attend, donations always welcome!

Future class details to be announced soon!

Filed Under: Breaking News

November 14, 2023 By HS Board

Order Your Pandemic Books Today

When a terrifying new illness – COVID-19 – struck the United States in early 2020, the Directors of the Mount Prospect Historical Society responded by carefully documenting the local Mount Prospect “pandemic experience.”  

Now this incredible treasure trove of information is being printed in a hardcover, 180-page book for researchers and history lovers of the future.  Within the book you will find a wealth of photos and memories from fellow residents, neighbors and friends that illustrate this important moment in Mount Prospect’s history. 

There are stories about how restaurateurs to nurses to ministers to funeral directors continued to do their jobs, as well as how politicians, teachers and schoolchildren coped in one Midwestern community. The Society also received permission from The Daily Herald newspaper to reprint articles which dealt with local people and events, as well as state and national news about how the pandemic was being handled.

“This book is dedicated to making sure memories of this traumatic time in Mount Prospect never fade and will serve as a record of our shared experience,” Frank Corry, President of the Society, added.

Individuals may order it for their personal collections.  It will only be available to those who order by December 31, 2023 (with delivery in early 2024).  The cost will be $25 plus shipping.

Ordering is now closed. If you purchased a book and chose local pickup, you will receive an email when your order is ready. We anticipate orders being ready sometime in January.

Filed Under: Breaking News

November 7, 2023 By officeadmin

Evening Creations

Join us for our exciting evening craft series for adults 18+ with instructors Laurie Roubitchek or Jill Tumberger! Check out our 2025 schedule – detailed class information to come!

Limit 15 attendees per class; no refunds.

Dried Flower Candle
• Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 7:00pm
• Location: Central School (103 S. Maple Street)
• Fee: $10

Registration available soon

Yarn Christmas Tree
• Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 7:00pm
• Location: Central School (103 S. Maple Street)
• Fee: $10

Registration available soon

 
 

Filed Under: Breaking News

October 24, 2023 By officeadmin

Afternoon Teas

Join us for a delightful afternoon tea and a history-themed presentation at the Mount Prospect Historical Society. We are offering three exciting programs in 2025!

All teas will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Central School (103 S. Maple Street). Doors will open at 12:45 pm.
Cost of each tea is $25 for MPHS members and $30 for non-members.

No refunds.  Must register in advance – no walk-ins.
Adults 18+, Limit 36 attendees

May 31, 2025
Zelda Fitzgerald
Presented by Lynn Rymarz
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

November 1, 2025
Cleopatra
Presented by Martina Mathisen
*
Registration not yet available*

 

Filed Under: Breaking News

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Mount Prospect Historical Society
101 South Maple Street
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
847.392.9006
info@mtphistory.org

The Mount Prospect Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to preserving the history of Mount Prospect, IL, through artifacts, photographs and both oral and written memories of current and former residents and businesspeople.  On its campus in the heart of the Village, the Society maintains the 1906 Dietrich Friedrichs house museum, the ADA-accessible Dolores Haugh Education Center and the 1896 one-room Central School, which was moved to the museum campus in 2008, renovated and opened to the public in 2017, the 100-year anniversary of the Village.

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