MK Pritzker, the first lady of Illinois, will tell the backstory of how she worked to update the governor’s mansion in Springfield when she visits the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association on Sept. 29.
Pritzker will be discussing her 2023 book, A House That Made History: The Illinois Governor’s Mansion, Legacy of an Architectural Treasure.
Pritzker worked with acclaimed interior designer Michael S. Smith to bring a curated collection of fine art, crafts, and furniture to the Italianate–Greek Revival mansion. Calling on her background in architectural history and design, Pritzker researched and documented the mansion’s cultural history and changing architecture in the book.
Mary Ann Porucznik, communications director at the club, said the book tells two stories. “The first part talks about the redecoration of the mansion, and then it goes into short biographies of every single Illinois governor and their spouses. So, it’s not only a decorating book; it’s a history book.”
Gertrude Johnson, a club member, was the driving force in inviting Pritzker to speak. Porucznik says that Johnson, “read the book cover-to-cover and was so taken with it, she thought that Mrs. Pritzker would make a great speaker.”
This is typical of the club’s enrichment series. Porucznik says, “That’s the wonderful thing about the Nineteenth Century Club events. So many of them are member-driven, especially our Monday programs.”
Angela Skalla, the club’s president, says members are very excited about welcoming Pritzker. The event is sold out for lunch. She notes a typical Monday lunch attracts 60 to 80 attendees, but they are up to 140 for the Pritzker event. The auditorium at the club seats 400, and there are still tickets available for the speaking portion of the event.
The club partnered with Dandelion Bookshop to provide copies of the book for sale after the presentation. If attendees preorder the book through Dandelion, the book shop will deliver the books to the event for Pritzker to sign.
Porucznik says the club’s monthly speaker is a highlight for their members and the public. The series runs from October through April. This year, the series benefits from a grant from the Toshiba International Foundation. The Japanese-themed enrichment series will include Japanese dance, poetry, art and a partnership with local high school students who are studying Japanese.
As the club approaches its 100th anniversary in 2028, Skalla says that the enrichment series is one way that showcases their place in the community. “We provide culture and fellowship to our 350 members, and membership is open to anyone.”
How to attend
The event takes place on Monday, Sept. 29 at 1:15 p.m. in the 2nd floor ballroom of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association at 178 Forest Ave. in Oak Park.
Reservations for the lunch and speaking program are sold out, but reservations for the speaking portion alone are available and should be made by Sept. 26. Tickets cost $30 for the speaking program. Fee waivers are available.
Tickets can be purchased on the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association’s website.
Questions or inquiries can be addressed by calling 708-386-2729 or emailing pritzkerquestions@nineteenthcentury.org
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September 16, 2025 at 10:41AM
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