About the Historical Society
Preserves and presents the history of Mount Prospect and surrounding northwest suburban area through exhibits, programs, and archival collections. Documents German immigrant heritage and transformation from farmland to modern suburb.
The Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum
Founded in 1967 following the village's 50th anniversary celebration, the Society operates from the Dietrich Friedrichs House, a Victorian farmhouse built in 1906 at 101 S. Maple Street. The house has been meticulously restored to reflect life in 1917, the year of Mount Prospect's incorporation. The two-story residence features a parlor, dining room, kitchen, pantry, nursery, bathroom, and two bedrooms furnished with period-appropriate pieces that portray the Friedrichs family lifestyle at the turn of the century. Much of the restoration drew on the recollections and personal artifacts of Bessie Friedrich Barnes, who grew up in the house and provided invaluable firsthand accounts.
Central Schoolhouse and Educational Mission
The Society's restoration of the Central Schoolhouse, a one-room school dating to 1896, offers visitors an authentic glimpse into early education in Mount Prospect. This living history museum features period-appropriate furnishings and educational materials, demonstrating how rural Illinois children learned in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The schoolhouse serves as an educational resource, helping modern students understand the dramatic evolution of American education.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Mount Prospect Historical Society has advanced the discovery, preservation, and dissemination of Mount Prospect history since its kitchen-table founding by six dedicated residents: Meta Bittner, Gertrude Moehling Francek, Edith Freund, Dolores Haugh, Doris Weber Norris, and Jack Weber. Free tours of the Friedrichs House are available Wednesdays from 10 AM to 3 PM, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the community's German immigrant heritage and transformation from farmland to modern suburb.
Programs and Community Events
Beyond its house museums, the Society keeps "hometown memories alive" through an active calendar of community programming. Recurring offerings include a book club, themed craft and social evenings, summer youth programs, and historical teas. In connection with the United States Semiquincentennial, the Society has organized a year-long series of book discussions and themed events celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary, reflecting its mission to connect residents with both local and national heritage.
Planning Your Visit
The Mount Prospect Historical Society offers free guided tours of the Dietrich Friedrichs Historic House Museum at 101 S. Maple Street on Wednesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM; tours can be scheduled through the Society. Membership supports the Society's preservation work and provides access to events, exhibits, and a quarterly newsletter. For the current calendar, tour scheduling, and membership information, visit mtphist.org.
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