When making decisions regarding furnishing The 1950s house, the curator and society created a fictional family. They developed a profile of this imaginary family and used it as a guide when selecting objects for the museum. The parents are Mildred and Fred. Fred was a Korean War Veteran and they met in college where Fred attended on the GI Bill. After they married and the children started to arrive, they needed a new home. The advertisements for Kimball Hill drew them to Rolling Meadows. Most of the early residents were young married couples fresh from the service or college. Few had older children, many were expecting. While some had a few pieces of furniture from relatives most were starting fresh. The new homes were furnished with furniture the young couples could afford and which also reflected their taste. In the early 1950s the style of the day was about color and clean lines.
The first section of Kimball Hill homes in Rolling Meadows sold for between $11,000 to $13,000 in 1953. They came with a selection of two colors of floor tile, (black and grey…brown was later added) and a Norge washer and dryer. Ladies who were early residents had to attend a class at the model home on how to use the clothes dryer as many of them had never owned or used one before.
Mildred and Fred had three children – Danny (seven), Susan (five) and baby Judy (two). Danny and Susan shared a bedroom with a bunk bed. Judy’s nursery is the third bedroom.
As a landscaper, Fred had a beautiful yard which he hoped would encourage his neighbors to patronize his business. Mildred was a full-time homemaker and was involved with her family, her church, her local school and the community. Mildred and Fred made a nice life in Rolling Meadows. They were glad they had saved their money to purchase a dream home of their own.
The Rolling Meadows 1950s Museum 