Mount Prospect Historical Society

Science of History
2023-07-27 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | IL
This year we’ll explore weather in our popular STEAM based program: Rain sticks, weather vanes, and rain gauges. We’ll even make rain and lightning!
Visit www.mtphist.org to register.

If You Lived During the Gold Rush
2023-07-27 13:30 - 15:30 | IL
Celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Gold being discovered in this fun, interactive program. Plan your route to head out west. Learn what life was like in a mining town. Pan for gold.
Register at www.mtphist.org.

Five Dollar Fives
2023-07-29 10:00 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
The Garden Club of Mount Prospect will discuss the history of the gardens and the efforts to keep the plants time period appropriate. Different aspects of the museum campus gardens (sensory, butterfly, kitchen and more) will be explained. After the presentation and some Q & A time, take a tour of the gardens with members of the Garden Club.
Visit www.mtphist.org to register.

Monthly Needlecraft Night
2023-08-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
We’ll repurpose (clean) old t-shirts into soft yarn, and we’ll crochet it into a coaster, or the start of a rug or bag. This is a great time to learn a few simple crochet stitches!
All experience levels are welcome. A $5 donation is suggested. Register here.

Second Sundays at the Society
2023-08-13 11:30 - 13:30 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
Join us on our campus to chat with Director Emily Dattilo about her newly released book, Mount Prospect Historic Sites. Books will be available for purchase. No registration necessary. The Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum will also be open for tours.

Strawfest Bus Trip
2023-08-19 09:00 - 17:00 | IL
-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
Register here.

Second Sundays at the Society
2023-09-10 11:30 - 13:30 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
This month’s theme is apples. Stop by at our open house for a variety of hands-on activities and make and takes. This FREE event welcomes all ages and no registration is necessary. The Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum will also be open for tours.

Monthly Needlecraft Night
2023-09-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
Enjoy creating a random act of kindness and learn a few basic quilting techniques, all in the same night! Participants can try out piecing, applique, filling, and quilting techniques to embellish their own “hearts”. Then we’ll discuss ways to distribute them around Mount Prospect to give random cheer to those who find them. This is part of the “I found a quilted heart” project. (visit https://www.ifoundaquiltedheart.com/)
All experience levels are welcome. A $5 donation is suggested. Register here.

Five Dollar Fives
2023-09-30 10:00 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
WJAZ/Ham Radio with Frank Corry. More info to come.
Register here.

Second Sundays at the Society
2023-10-08 11:30 - 13:30 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
Stop by Central School for a variety of hands-on activities and make and takes. This month’s theme is pumpkins. Do you know which city in Illinois is the Pumpkin Capital of the World? You’ll find out! This FREE event welcomes all ages. The Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum will also be open for tours.

Monthly Needlecraft Night
2023-10-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
We will explore felting. Felting is a meditative process of turning roving (unspun wool) into a three-dimensional object. Archeologists have found pre-historic felted fabrics from Sweden through Sumeria. All participants will receive a basic kit of an assortment of felting needles, felting pad, and enough wool in assorted colors to create a small ornament or toy.
All experience levels are welcome. A $5 donation is suggested. Register here.

Blacksmith Demo
2023-10-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum, 101 S. Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
Our popular blacksmith demo is back! Join us on Saturday, October 14 between 11 am and 3 pm to see our new blacksmiths, Solomon and Peter, in action. This event is free and no registration is necessary.

Blacksmith Demo
2023-10-21 11:00 - 15:00 | IL
Join us at 101 S. Maple Street on Saturday, October 21 between 11 am and 3 pm to see our new blacksmiths, Solomon and Peter, in action. This event is free and no registration is necessary.

Afternoon Tea: True Chicago Stories with Martina Mathisen
2023-11-04 13:00 - 14:30 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
The 1920’s are saturated with surprise, sequins, and murder! A fun and funny flapper named Flora tells us how fashion, crime, and prohibition mixed with explosive creativity shaped the decade of the century. You will learn fact from fiction and how reality relates to the 2002 Oscar-winning film Chicago. This interactive and highly engaging program is a front row seat for the compelling stories of Chicago in the 1920’s. Travel back in time and let Flora the flapper educate and entertain you.
Register here.

Monthly Needlecraft Night
2023-11-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children 0-18 who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. The blankets are collected locally and distributed in hospitals, shelters and social service agencies.
We will tie knots or crochet in edges. Fleece will be provide . Please bring a crochet hook ( size G-I) if you have one and a pair of scissors.
All experience levels are welcome. A $5 donation is suggested. Register here.

Second Sundays at the Society
2023-11-12 11:30 - 13:30 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
Join us at the Society for our Second Sunday open house program. This month’s theme is turkeys. Stop by Central School (103 S. Maple) for a variety of hands-on activities and make-and-takes for all ages. The Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum (101 S. Maple) will also be open for tours. This event is FREE.

Holiday Housewalk
2023-12-01 15:30 - 21:00 | IL
This year we feature the Triangle neighborhood in Mount Prospect, IL

Winter Evergreen Arrangement Class
2023-12-04 18:30 - 20:30, 2023-12-05 18:30 - 20:30 | IL
Join Instructor Jill Tumberger and the Mount Prospect Historical Society for an evening out while creating a beautiful winter evergreen arrangement. All supplies will be provided but please bring your own gardening clippers/shears.
Limited to 15 attendees.
To register, visit: https://www.mtphist.org/winter-evergreen-programs/

Second Sundays at the Society
2023-12-10 11:30 - 13:30 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
Stop by Central School (103 S. Maple) for our annual “Gingerbread” Open House. This popular event includes a variety of holiday make-and-takes for all ages. The Dietrich Friedrichs House/Museum (101 S. Maple), which is beautifully decked out for the holidays, will also be open for tours. Hot cocoa will be served. This event is FREE.

Monthly Needlecraft Night
2023-12-13 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-12-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
Join us and make your very own ” no sew” holiday star ornament. All experience levels are welcome! A $5 donation is suggested.
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.
Register here.

Bessie's Workbasket
2024-01-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-01-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
The Mount Prospect Historical Society will be continuing monthly needlecraft nights under a new name — Bessie’s Workbasket.
Join us the second Wednesday of each month in Central School (103 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect) from 10:00 am-12:00 pm or 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 $10 donation per class is suggested.
On January 10, we will make Granny Squares. Who was the grandmother who made the first granny square? We’ll look at several women from the late 19th century who are often credited with designing beautiful afghans made out of crocheted blocks. We’ll learn the basic stitches and how to read a pattern and chart. We’ll also share several modern patterns to extend our design and techniques.
Register at: https://www.mtphist.org/bessies-workbasket/.

Second Sundays at the Society - "Meet" the Friedrichs
2024-01-14 11:30 - 13:30 | Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum, 101 S. Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
Stop by the Dietrich Friedrichs House and “Meet” the Friedrichs, the first owners of the home. Costumed interpreters will guide you through the house and tell you what it was like in the early 1900s. Central School will also be open for fun seasonal make-and-takes and visits. This FREE event welcomes all ages and no registration is necessary.

Evening Creations at MPHS - Vintage Jewelry or Button Picture Frames
2024-01-22 18:30 | IL
Use old costume jewelry or buttons to create a 5”x7” picture frame. Add your own picture and bring history to life!
Note: Basic black picture frames, some jewelry/buttons, and other supplies will be provided. If you have jewelry, buttons or a picture frame of your own that you would like to use, feel free to bring them to class.
Instructor: Linda Burns
Cost: $10
Visit https://www.mtphist.org/evening-creations/ for more information or to register.

Second Sundays at the Society - Valentines
2024-02-11 11:30 - 13:30 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
This month’s theme is Valentines. Come join us in Central School to make a Valentine for someone special, indulge your craftiness with a make-and-take, and learn the history of this beloved holiday. The Dietrich Friedrichs House will also be open for tours. This FREE event welcomes all ages and no registration is necessary.

Bessie's Workbasket
2024-02-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-02-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
The Mount Prospect Historical Society will be continuing monthly needlecraft nights under a new name — Bessie’s Workbasket.
Join us the second Wednesday of each month in Central School (103 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect) from 10:00 am-12:00 pm or 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 $10 donation per class is suggested.
On February 14, we will Knit Like a Viking! Trichinopoly or Viking knitting makes a filigree cord made out of metal! Early examples of this ancient technique were found in 8th-century Scandanavian burial sites, and the design is still fashionable today. We will make a bracelet using simple tools and wire.
Visit https://www.mtphist.org/bessies-workbasket/ to register.

Afternoon Tea - Barbie: The History of America's Most Famous Doll
2024-02-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Central School, 103 South Maple Street, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056, United States
Join us for afternoon tea and a presentation!
She might be the most famous doll in the world. For more than sixty years, Barbie has been played with, analyzed, collected, criticized and loved. In this illustrated lecture, historian Leslie Goddard delves into the history of Barbie and her inventor, the passionately creative – and intensely competitive — Ruth Handler.
Learn what inspired Handler to develop Barbie in 1959, how Barbie helped make Mattel one of the world’s most successful toy companies, and what Barbie’s impact has been on American culture.
Presented by Leslie Goddard
