Mary is the Regent of the Eli Skinner Chapter of the NSDAR. She’ll be on hand to tell you all about this organization: Its history, its mission, and how you qualify to be a member.
Location: Central School (103 S. Maple)
Time: 10 a.m.
Program Fee: $5 per person per session
The Mount Prospect Historical Society is adding another exhibit to its bustling downtown Mount Prospect campus this fall.
Following the dedication ceremony, which will involve numerous descendants of Mount Prospect Blacksmith John Meyn, Justin Stech, a modern-day blacksmith, will spend several hours (from noon to 3 p.m.) just outside of the exhibit, demonstrating the trade for members of the public who want to stop by.
A blacksmith is a metalsmith who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal, using tools to hammer, bend and cut. Blacksmiths had a general knowledge of how to make and repair many things, from the most complex weapons and armor to simple things like nails or lengths of chain. Most produce objects such as gates, grilles, railings, light fixtures, furniture, sculpture, tools, agricultural implements, decorative and religious items, cooking utensils and weapons.
A common misconception, according to Stech, is that blacksmiths made horseshoes and attached them to horses’ hooves, as well as making other metal items. But farriers were actually the ones who dealt with horses. Based on stories and photos, however, it appears that the Meyns were both blacksmiths and farriers.
The new Mount Prospect Historical Society exhibit will be an unchanging replica of the late 19th century Meyn shop. In fact, a replica of John Meyn’s Blacksmith Shop sign has adorning the outside of the carriage house, just above the door, since last spring, as a harbinger of things to come.
The blacksmith played a very important role in his community. He was a metal smith, a farrier, a mechanic, a handyman, a neighbor and a friend. This exhibit will educate people of all ages what a blacksmith did, why he was important, and what made John Meyn such a special man.
Members of Mount Prospect’s VFW Post 1337 and American Legion Post 525 have a special Memorial Day remembrance planned this year.
In addition to the annual Lions Park ceremony, they will dedicate a new section of the Lions Park Veteran’s Memorial to 15 Mount Prospect service people who lost their lives while serving in the United States military. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, May 28.
Representatives of the Mt. Prospect Park District, the Mount Prospect Historical Society and the Mount Prospect Public Library, worked alongside the veterans this winter and spring to locate the names and stories of Mount Prospect residents who were lost over the years while serving in the military so they could be commemorated with their names added to the Veterans Memorial at Lions Park. The memorial is adjacent to the Veterans Memorial Band Shell in Lions Memorial Park. It has been designed as a tranquil, contemplative setting featuring a fountain and columns for engraved bricks.
To kick off the project, the Mt. Prospect Parks Foundation, the Mount Prospect Lions Club as well as the VFW Post 1337 and American Legion Post 525, have donated to the veterans’ memorial. “We are very grateful to the Parks Foundation and Lions Club for their generous contributions to the memorial,” stated Dutch DeGroot, chairman of the project. “Veterans and their families will have a place to visit and honor their Mount Prospect service members for years to come.”
The search revealed that Mount Prospect lost residents to World War II and the Vietnam War, as well as during peacetime service, but as far as known, none were lost during World War I, Korea, the two Persian Gulf Wars or Afghanistan. There is space remaining on the memorial, however, to include at future ceremonies the names of those who might inadvertently have been missed, according to DeGroot.
Mount Prospect’s residents have long and faithfully served the United States as members of the nation’s military, protecting its shores and interests, a service that inevitably brings with it loss.
That is why the veteran organizations of Mount Prospect this year will permanently memorialize those from Mount Prospect who made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to the United States.
The veterans to be memorialized on May 28 are:
DeGroot asks that if anyone can get in touch with members of any of these veterans’ families who may no longer reside in Mount Prospect, that they please do so and let them know about the upcoming remembrance ceremony and permanent memorial. Those who do not wish to contact the families personally, but have information about their whereabouts, may email DeGroot at service_officer@vfw1337.us.
Many of the partygoers wore clothing of the 1920s or 1930s to help the Mount Prospect Historical Society re-imagine the atmosphere enjoyed in area speakeasies during Prohibition.
After dinner they were entertained by Bill Hazelgrove, author of “Al Capone and the 1933 World’s Fair,” who talked about Capone’s gangster life and how worried World’s Fair organizers got him out of the picture during the event, as well as about little-known aspects of the fair itself.
The MPHS added exhibits on Mount Prospect’s brief brushes with gangsters over the years to add a local touch to the evening. There was also a challenging 1920s and 30s trivia competition with a wide range of small prizes.
Proceeds from the event have been directed to the Mount Prospect Historical Society’s Operating Fund.
As part of its mission to preserve the history of our town, the Mount Prospect Historical Society has a vast collection of historic artifacts. Most of these items are housed right on the Society’s campus. An interactive program to explore some of these relics is set for Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Mount Prospect Historical Society’s Central School, 103 S. Maple St. This FREE program is open to children in grades three through five.
“This is a fun and unique opportunity to not only get to see, but to use, some of the items in our collection,” said Lindsay Rice, executive director of the Society. “The children will learn what the items were used for in the daily lives of past residents, giving a hands-on peek into the history of Mount Prospect.”
The program is being offered by the Living History Committee of the Society and will feature household and domestic items. There is no fee, but space is limited and registration is required. Walk-ins will be considered on the day of the event only if space is available. For more information or to register, please call the Mount Prospect Historical Society at 847/392-9006.