Events

The Mount Prospect Historical Society will soon offer a fascinating program about America’s favorite fictional teen sleuth – Nancy Drew.

Join expert Susan Becker to discover the story behind Nancy Drew at 1 p.m., Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the Society’s Central School, 103 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect.

First bursting on the scene in 1930, Nancy was an immediate success with girls yearning for a feminist role model before they even knew they wanted one. Nancy Drew Mysteries continue to be read today more than 80 years since her creation, mostly by granddaughters encouraged by grandmothers with fond memories of their time spent with the iconic girl detective.

“A magazine article spurred my interest in Nancy Drew several years ago,” says Becker. “I was intrigued

to discover the true history of Nancy and her creator.”

And don’t think that you are going to learn about Carolyn Keene!  Nancy Drew’s true creator was Edward Stratemeyer, who took the pen name of Carolyn Keene when writing his Nancy Drew stories. Stratemeyer was the most prolific author of 20th century juvenile literature of whom you have never heard! 

During his lifetime he developed over 125 different series, which in addition to the beloved Nancy Drew, included Tom Swift, the Bobbsey Twins and the Hardy Boys. Books and other items of interest will be on display.

Becker, who read her first Nancy Drew book at the age of eight, added, “I wish I hadn’t given away my own collection to a younger cousin.”

Tickets are $12 per person. Space is limited and take note that Society programs have sold out in the past. So, reservations must be made in advance. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information or to reserve your spot, please visit the Society’s website: www.mtphist.org or

phone 847-392-9006.

We’re right in the neighborhood. Come see what we have to offer!

The Mount Prospect Historical Society is pleased to announce the return of its popular summer programs for 2022. 

Two sessions of the always popular Prairie Kids program will be held on July 21, 2022. Boys and girls, age seven and up, are invited to take part in these fun, step-back-in-time experiences. In session one, participants will try their hand at chores and games of yesteryear, make a yarn kid, sample homemade lemonade and plant vegetables. 

Life as a Prairie Kid I will be offered from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Life as a Prairie Kid II will also be held on Thursday, July 21, 2022, but in the afternoon from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. In session two, participants will continue their exploration of life in the late 19th century as a prairie kid. They’ll try their hand at old-fashioned chores and games, make a paper chain and a no bake snack, and learn sewing skills. 

The exciting Science of History program is back, too, and will be offered on Thursday, July 28, 2022 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. This STEM-based interactive program has been delighting kids in past summers with themes such as catapults, waterwheels, log cabin building, rockets, and boats. This year children ages seven and up will explore “Wind” in honor of the 270th anniversary of Ben Franklin’s kite flying experiment. They will be making kites, pinwheels, windsocks and more.

To complement the science program this year, the Society is presenting “If You Lived in Colonial Times” on Thursday, July 28, 2022 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Learn book binding skills, make a tin can light, sample tea or hot chocolate, and play games of yesteryear. There will be dress up photo opportunities, too!  

 “At the Mount Prospect Historical Society, we love bringing history alive for all ages,” said Deb Rittle, Society President and Living History Chair. “We once again look forward to having Young Historians join us this summer for our exciting adventures through time!” 

 All sessions will be held on the Society campus (101 S. Maple, Street, Mount Prospect). Space is limited and registration is required. 

 The cost is $25 per person for each session or $20 if registering for more than one program.

 We’re right in the neighborhood. Come see what we have to offer! For more information about these programs or to register, visit https://www.mtphist.org/summer-programs-for-children-at-the-mphs/ or call 847-392-9006.

The Society has planned its next bus trip for Saturday, May 14, 2022. We will be exploring historic delights in the northern suburbs of Evanston and Wilmette.

In the morning, tour-goers will tour both the picturesque home of Frances Willard, a founder and president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, and the mansion of Charles G. Dawes, who served as Calvin Coolidge’s vice president.

The Frances Willard house was built in 1865. The author and activist lived and worked in this house during the years of her presidency of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). For many of those years, the house also served as an informal national headquarters for the WCTU and a boarding house for its workers.

The nearby lakefront Dawes mansion was, from 1909 until his death in 1951, the home of Charles Gates Dawes and his family. Dawes earned the 1925 Nobel Peace Prize for his plan to alleviate the crushing burden of war reparations that Germany was required to pay after World War I. He also served as President Calvin Coolidge’s vice president and as a general during World War I .

After lunch on your own in Evanston, the tour will continue north to Wilmette’s renowned Baha’i House of Worship, an architectural masterpiece built over a 30-year span from 1921 to 1951, where we will be treated to a private tour. It was dedicated in 1953 and has received many architectural awards. In fact, in 1978 it was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places and in 2007 the Illinois Bureau of Tourism named it one of the “Seven Wonders of Illinois.”

Tickets for the May 14, 2022 trip are $67 per person which includes tour admissions and bus transportation. The tour bus will depart from the Historical Society, 101 S. Maple St., promptly at 9 a.m. and is expected to return back there by 5 p.m. Lunch will be on your own. Comfortable clothing and shoes are strongly urged.

Also, be aware that the Society will follow all CDC COVID-19 recommendations in effect at the time of the tour, so please be prepared to wear a mask on the bus and during the tours, if that is required at the time.

Space is limited and tickets are non-refundable.

Online ticket sales have now closed.

Please purchase your ticket at the Housewalk in the St. Raymond PMC building, located on the corner of S. I-Oka and W. Milburn.

Pre-purchased tickets can be picked up in the PMC building at the Will Call table on Housewalk night.

MOUNT PROSPECT HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOUSEWALK RETURNS DECEMBER 3RD, 2021!

After a one-year COVID-19-imposed hiatus, the Mount Prospect Historical Society has announced that its annual Holiday Housewalk will return on Friday, December 3, 2021 in the neighborhood immediately north and slightly northwest of St. Raymond Catholic Church – originally known as “Colonial Manor.”

Tickets will go on sale November 1 for the Mount Prospect Historical Society’s 33nd annual Holiday Housewalk which will begin in the St. Raymond Parish Ministry Center on the northwest corner of its block (at the corner of I-Oka and Milburn Avenues) and will run from 3:30 to 9 p.m.

The interiors of five private homes, built between 1929 and 2019, will be featured on the tour this year. Two additional homes, built in 1929 and 1946, respectively, will be featured from the outside.

The homes which will have their interiors featured this year are: 218 S. I-Oka Ave., owned by Rob and Stephanie Berman; 204 S. I-Oka Ave., owned by Jamie and Debbie McGough; 16 S. I-Oka Ave., owned by Ray and Jill Doerner; 122 S. Elmhurst Ave., owned by Chris and Amanda Manna; and 112 S. Wa-Pella Ave., owned by Shawn and Nicole Stoltz.

In addition, the exteriors of 101 S. Wa-Pella Ave., owned by John and Julie Johnson, and 216 S. Hi-Lusi Ave., owned by Tyra and Tim Jambois, will also be featured.

All of the homes will be exciting to tour in their own ways, whether because of the historic flavor, lovely decorating or the renovation work that has been done, according to JP Karlov, Housewalk co-chairperson. It should also be noted that COVID restrictions will be in place. Tour-goers will be expected to wear masks inside homes and the Walk’s headquarters — and volunteers will do the same.

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. Local florists and homeowners will provide the decorations. This year’s featured florists are Busse Flowers and Gifts of Rolling Meadows, The Purple Rose of Mount Prospect, Pesche’s Flowers and 7 Red Roses Floral Design Studio of Des Plaines and The Flower Studio of Rolling Meadows. Lurvey’s of Des Plaines will provide outdoor fresh décor for one home.

Non-refundable tickets will be sold for $28 each through Dec. 2 at Busey Bank, 299 W. Central Rd.; River Trails’ Weiss Center, 1500 E. Euclid Ave.; RecPlex, 420 Dempster St.; the Central Community Center, 1000 W. Central Rd.; Millie’s Hallmark, 1024 S. Elmhurst Rd.; LePeep, 10 E. Northwest Hwy.; and the Dietrich Friedrichs House museum, 101 S. Maple St.

Tickets are also available to be purchased below (See Note). Those tickets can be picked up at a “will call” desk located at the St. Raymond Church 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 St. Raymond’s headquarters, but the cost will be $30 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 or log onto www.mtphist.org.

This year’s Walk is sponsored by Busse Automotive, Novak and Parker appliances and Mrs. P & Me.

PLEASE NOTE:

Tickets purchased online can be picked up at the Will Call table at Saint Raymond’s Parish Ministry Center on the night of the Housewalk. 

To use a membership discount, you must call the Society at (847) 392-9006 to purchase your ticket OR go to 101 S. Maple Street (Dietrich Friedrichs Museum).

Discounted tickets cannot be purchased online. Membership discounts must be used by Thursday, December 2nd, 2021. 

All tickets will be $30 on the day of the Housewalk.