Historical society programs transport kids to the past

The Mount Prospect Historical Society welcomed dozens of Prairie Girls, Historic Engineers and Young Patriots who participated in the society's summer programs for children.

"The enthusiastic response to our programs this year was phenomenal," said Michele Runde, Living History Committee co-chair. "It was so exciting to see our campus brimming with young history enthusiasts."

This summer's offerings had children exploring what it was like to live in the days when Illinois was little more than open prairie, constructing cabins out of paper towel tube "Lincoln Logs" and sending secret coded messages as Revolutionary War spies.

"The Mount Prospect Historical Society hosts wonderful programs for children about history," said Dana Carr, a Mount Prospect resident whose daughter participated in all four programs.

"My 7-year-old daughter, Lily, was very excited to take the two Prairie Girl classes. After taking them, she found out there were two more classes and actually begged me to take them both. How could I say no to learning more about history?"

The successful Prairie Girl and Science of History programs have been running for several summers, while Living the Revolution was a new addition this year. The educational classes attracted participants from not only Mount Prospect, but the surrounding area, as well.

"She had fun in all four classes and loved all the crafts and projects she got to take home," Carr added.

"The adorable photos emailed to me afterward are a reminder of the great time she had. The best part is that the society is right in our neighborhood. In just a 10-minute walk from our house, Lily was whisked away to an earlier time. She can't wait until next summer."

All four children's programs will be held again next summer, as well as two weeklong History Camps debuting in June and July of 2019. The Mount Prospect Historical Society offers a variety of educational programs and history-themed events for children and adults all year long.

For more information about upcoming offerings, visit www.mtphist.org or follow the society on Facebook.

The Mount Prospect Historical Society is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that is committed to preserving the history of Mount Prospect through artifacts, photographs and both oral and written memories of current and former residents and businesspeople.

On its campus in the heart of the village, the society maintains the 1906 Dietrich Friedrichs house museum, carriage house, the ADA-accessible Dolores Haugh Education Center and the 1896 one-room Central School, which was moved to the museum campus in 2008.

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