This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Party Like It's 1964!

Winnetka Historical Society throws Mad Men cocktail party

By:  Jackie Pilossoph | Sun-Times Media | 

When Winnetka realtor, Joan Conlisk first saw the home at 1250 Hill Road, a property she was hired six weeks ago to sell, her first thought was the show, Mad Men.

“I thought, ‘This is so great, it’s authentic, it’s frozen in time,’” said Conlisk, referring to the 1950’s home, and its complete ’50s and ’60s décor. “It’s in absolutely beautiful condition.”

Conlisk then had another idea, which involved the Winnetka Historical Society.

Find out what's happening in Winnetka-Glencoewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I called the director and said, ‘I represent a home that is right out of Mad Men, and I think you should have a party here,’” Conlisk explained. “I felt like the members and guests would feel like they were walking right onto the set of the show. I didn’t use this as a way to show the house, I just thought people would appreciate it.”

Dressed in Mad Men garb and enjoying drinks, as well as appetizers from the ’50s, about 100 members of the Winnetka Historical Society and their friends showed up for a Mad Men mid-century cocktail party.

Find out what's happening in Winnetka-Glencoewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I love Mad Men and I love the clothing on the show,” said Tracy Yale of Winnetka, who is a member of the Historical Society. “I’m from out east and I relate to that east coast way of doing things, as well as to the décor in this lovely home.”

Patti Van Cleave is the executive director of the Winnetka Historical Society, and said when she got the call from Conlisk, she knew it was a great fit.

“People love to go inside other people’s homes because they are curious,” said Van Cleave, who explained that the historical society throws two cocktail parties per year, always with a different theme, as well as an annual gala. All the events take place in members’ homes.

Van Cleave said that part of the historical society’s mission is to educate people on the stories of the past, and that being in different homes helps fulfill part of that.

The event was $50 per person, with proceeds going to the historical society, which owns and operates two historic homes, including the organization’s museum headquarters at 411 Linden Street and the Schmidt-Burnham Log House at 1140 Willow Road.

“Winnetka has a richer history than you might expect,” said member, Becky Hurley of Winnetka. “It has a history of innovation and interesting people, and that spirit continues.”

Elizabeth Messersmith, a board member of the historical society baked three appetizers for the event, all which were recipes from the ’50s.

“I baked Pigtails, which are cheese crackers, Blue Velvet, which is a cheese ball, and crab and artichoke dip that was made with two cups of mayonnaise,” she said. “I can’t remember the last time I used mayonnaise, but I really wanted to stick with the theme and make everyone feel like we are in the ‘50s.”

Messersmith also pointed out the home’s display of several record albums from the ’50s and ’60s, including the famous 1965 Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass record, “Whipped Cream & Other Delights.”

“We didn’t stage a thing,” said Conlisk. “The décor is so gorgeous, we didn’t have to add or subtract anything.”

“If you don’t know the history of Winnetka, you would think it’s just like any other suburb,” said Hurley. “It’s not. It’s special.”

In addition to educating community members of past stories of Winnetka, the Winnetka Historical Society promotes awareness of Winnetka’s heritage through artifact collection and preservation, as well as programs, exhibits and publications.


We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?