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MUSEUM NEWS
HISTORY HAPPY HOUR RETURNS!
We are excited to announce the return of our popular History Happy Hour fundraiser series for 2026!!
This year's lineup of speakers promises to be one of the best yet! If you haven't already, make sure to secure your place soon, as tickets sell out fast. For more information click the flyer below.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Unplugged
Acoustic Rock Jam
Saturday, February 14, 2026
1:00 pm—3:00 pm
Pleasant Prairie History Museum
Restoring Waukegan's Gem on Genesee Street: Genesee Theatre 1927 to Today History Happy Hour Program
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
5:00 pm—7:15 pm
Pleasant Prairie History Museum
Unplugged
Acoustic Rock Jam
Saturday, March 14, 2026
1:00 pm—3:00 pm
Pleasant Prairie History Museum
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SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
Members enjoy the following benefits:
- Copy of the bi-annual Prairie Pioneer newsletter
- Invitation to the Annual Night at the Museum
- Membership Certificate and Pin
- Early access to sign-up for the annual History Happy Hour series
To download a Membership
Application, click HERE
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READ OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER
Volume 15 Issue 2—Fall 2025
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TOBINETTES!
Written by Mary Walther
| On February 15th, 1962, Celia Walther (née Flatberg) of 3221 Tobin Road (now 116th Street), presided over the inaugural meeting of a new “Homemakers Club” called the Tobinettes, so named because most members lived on or near Tobin Road. | Homemakers Clubs were educational clubs common in in farming/rural communities, and were often supported by a Home Agent assigned to a county extension office tied to a local university. Home Agents were usually female, and would hold lessons in the field of Home Economics, such as food preparation, clothing, home décor, crafts, and the economics of running a household. | The Tobinettes in a lesson about Norway, 1971. | Growing up in Corson South Dakota, Celia was heavily involved in such groups. Her mother had been a member of a Homemakers Club, and Celia spent 12 years in a 4-H club (another extension supported organization), eventually becoming a 4-H leader, and, later, a Home Agent for Yankton County, SD. When Celia moved to Pleasant Prairie in 1959, she looked for a way to get to know her neighbors, as well as share her knowledge with the community. This led her to found the Tobinettes. | Five women were present at the first meeting of the Tobinettes, hosted at the home of Connie Pfeiffer, 3300 Tobin Road. With additional members joining at the March 15th and April 24th meetings, the Tobinettes Club was up and running! The Tobinettes were active in the area of 116th Street for over 25 years. Monthly meetings included a lesson taught by a member (often from a lesson plan provided by the Home Agent), food, and socializing in the home of the hosting member. The club also hosted a number of events, including County Rally Day dinners, Christmas Faires, Craft Workshops, Bake Shoppes, and Capsule College events, as well as Club trips and picnics. The Tobinettes were also supporters of local 4-H clubs, including the Dublin Progressors and the Trevor Eager Beavers. | The Tobinettes on their 20th Anniversary,1982. Celia Walther is back row, second from the left. | |
