Mount Prospect Historical Society

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Events

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Rails and Wright!

Join the Mount Prospect Historical Society at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025 for a day-long bus trip, first to Union, IL for a morning tour of the Illinois Railway Museum, followed by an afternoon tour of one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian homes in Hampshire.  Between tours the group will stop for lunch where there is the option to purchase food at Hampshire’s Copper Barrel restaurant. You can pre-check the menu at www.barrelonstate.com.

Tour-goers will have plenty of time at the Railway Museum to peruse and possibly ride (on their own) the many trains (both diesel and steam) and streetcars on display there. Then, after lunch they will tour Frank Lloyd’s Wright’s Muirhead Farmhouse, built in 1951. Unlike the Wright homes in Chicago, Oak Park and River Forest which display Wright’s early “Prairie style” of architecture, this farmhouse shows his later Usonian architectural style. Wright built most of this style of homes outside of Illinois, so it is a treat to see one here.

Participants should be aware that the trip requires considerable walking and the ability to climb and descend bus stairs.

The cost for the day is $100 for Mount Prospect Historical Society members and $115 for non-members.

To reserve your space, please register and pay online here. Phone 847-392-9006 with questions.

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“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.

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Bessie’s Workbasket

Join us the second Wednesday of each month in Central School (103 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect) from 7:00 to 9:00 pm! All classes are beginner-friendly and we encourage anyone who is interested to join!

Please note we will no longer offer a 10:00 a.m. class option in 2025.

Pop-Up Cards – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Imagine the look on your friend’s face when they open a card and the design leaps out!  We’ll go step-by-step to create fun designs.
· 7:00pm at Central School, 103 S Maple St. Mount Prospect
· Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

Upcoming class topics will be posted throughout the year so be sure to check back regularly for updated information!

Past Events

Quilling
Quilling, aka paper-rolling, or paper scrolling – has a long and interesting history. The origins of quilling are not recorded, but some think it began with the invention of paper, in China in 105 AD or in Egypt, where some tombs have been found to contain wire shapes similar in appearance to modern quilling.
In this class, you will learn how to make a flower by quilling. You will make the basic shapes to determine an item or stand-along masterpiece.
· 7:00pm at Central School, 103 S Maple St. Mount Prospect
· Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Planters
Make a planter/hanger for your spring plants. If you have a large empty tin can, bring it! We will have some that you can decorate.
· 7:00pm at Central School, 103 S Maple St. Mount Prospect
· Wednesday, May 14th, 2025

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Blacksmith Demo Fall 2024

Our popular blacksmith demo is back! Join us at 101 S. Maple Street on Sunday, October 13, 2024 between 11 am and 3 pm to see blacksmith Solomon in action!

Our monthly open house event, Second Sundays at the Society, will also be going on between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm in Central School (103 S. Maple Street). Stop by to take a look at Mount Prospect’s original 1896 schoolhouse! Then, take a guided tour of the Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum.

All of these activities are free and no registration is necessary. We hope to see you there!

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Winter Evergreen Programs 2024

December 9 & 10, 2024
7:00-9:00 pm
Central School (103 S. Maple St.)
Cost: $50
Instructor: Jill Tumberger

Join us for a fun evening out while creating a beautiful winter evergreen arrangement!

All supplies will be provided but please bring your own gardening clippers/shears.

*Please note: Class is non-refundable. Bathrooms are located in the Education Center located behind Central School.

Both classes are sold out. Please email info@mtphistory.org to be added to a waitlist.

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Strawfest Bus Trip 2023

Saturday, August 19, 2023
Depart from 101 S. Maple Street (Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum) at 9 a.m.
Return at 5 p.m.

Join us on a bus trip to the Eighth Annual U.S. National Straw Sculpting Competition, also known as “Strawfest,” in Mt. Morris.  It is promoted as “Fine Art in Straw” and was inspired by former Arlington Heights resident/artist Fran Volz who now lives nearby in Rockford.

Participants will ride a luxury coach, leaving Mount Prospect at 9 a.m. After arriving in Mt. Morris, tour-goers will have plenty of time to enjoy the large, unique straw sculptures, arranged around the picturesque town square only two weeks each year; vote for their favorites; and then tour the Encore! Mt. Morris Old Sandstone Art Gallery which is filled with local artwork.

After perusing the artwork and straw sculptures, bus tour participants will enjoy boxed lunches from Jen’s Artisan Breads, in the air-conditioned Pinecrest Grove Auditorium. 

Fran Volz, the one who inspired this contest, will speak during lunch about his first exposure to straw sculptures during a trip to Germany; his fondly-remembered “Chicago Snow Competition” event which premiered at Randhurst Shopping Center in 2004 and then moved to Navy Pier where teams of artists from Spain, China, Germany, Canada and Russia competed; and his other well-known artistic endeavors while living in the Northwest Suburbs. Many recall his gorgeous snow sculptures entertaining drivers along Arlington Heights Road each winter.

Following lunch, Jeff Bold, steering committee chairman of “Encore! Mt. Morris” which is working to revitalize the community, will board the bus for a guided tour of local points of interest including White Pines Forest State Park with its rare, picturesque grove of native white pine trees, and “The Eternal Indian” or “Blackhawk” statue along the river in nearby Oregon, IL which has recently been restored. It is a local landmark by famed sculptor Laredo Taft. Stops for locally-produced maple syrup and locally-grown corn-on-the-cob might also be possible if tour-goers are interested.

Comfortable clothing and shoes are strongly urged. 

MPHS Member Cost: $80
Non-Member Cost: $90

Lunch Options:

  • Chicken salad sandwich
  • Pesto and salami sandwich
  • Veggie sandwich on multi-grain bread

All lunch options include coleslaw, chips, water and dessert.

Trip highlights:

  • Marvel at the straw art at the U.S. National Straw Sculpting contest
  • Tour the Encore! Mt. Morris Old Sandstone Art Gallery, housed in the oldest building in Mt. Morris
  • Enjoy a pre-ordered boxed lunch, provided by Jen’s Artisan Breads, with an exclusive presentation by Fran Volz
  • Guided bus tour of local sites, including White Pine Forest State Park and the Blackhawk Statue in Oregon, IL

Registration is now closed.

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Five Dollar Fives

Join us in months with a fifth Saturday for a brand new program, Five Dollar Fives. This series will feature fun, history-related programs presented by local speakers.

Each program begins at 10 a.m. in Central School (103 S. Maple Street) and costs $5.

April 29, 2023 – Genealogy Research with Anne Shaughnessy: Learn how to get started researching your family history and get some answers to your research questions during a chat with Anne Shaughnessy, MPPL Genealogy and Local History Librarian. Registration is closed.

September 30, 2023 – With its transmitter and antenna tower located in Mount Prospect, WJAZ was one of the big players in the very early days of broadcast radio. Long before television dominated evening entertainment in American homes, families tuned in their radios. Entertainers traveled the country performing “live studio broadcasts” from the few radio stations that were beginning to fill the airwaves. Join Frank Corry, Mount Prospect Historical Society Board President, for his talk about Mount Prospect’s WJAZ Radio, it’s impact on the emerging radio broadcast industry, and its connections to Ham radio.

December 30, 2023 – Archival Crafting with Annette Wegener

Space is limited and reservations are required.

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Needle Craft Night

Get out your needles and thread. The Mount Prospect Historical Society will be hosting Monthly Needle Craft Nights. Join us the second Wednesday of each month in Central School (103 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect) from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

Bring your own knitting/crocheting/embroidery project or try our spotlight project each month. All experience levels are welcome. Advance registration is recommended and a $5 donation is suggested.

Join us for the last class of the year on December 13, 2023! We are offering TWO time options in December; 10 am-12 pm or 7-9 pm. We will be making no-sew stars.

We look forward to seeing you at this fun monthly program where you can learn a new skill, chat while working on your own project, or share your knowledge with other needlecraft enthusiasts.