Breaking News

August 12-16 2024
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Cost: $100
Ages 6-11

Join us for an exciting and creative week of art on the Mount Prospect Historical Society campus! Let’s come together to create beautiful butterflies, sculptures, and paintings inspired by artists like Piet Mondrian, Wassily Kandinsky, Yayoi Kusama, and Andy Warhol. We’ll be using recycled materials to make our masterpieces against the unique backdrop of our blacksmith shop, butterfly garden, and historic buildings.

Limited space available. No refunds.

Camp is full. Please email amarcus@mtphistory.org to be put on a wait list.

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.

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.

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.