Who we are
The Luecht Historical Collection began twenty-seven years ago, originating from Mike Luecht’s interest in acquiring items relevant to the history of the United States and beyond. Over time, a clear theme emerged.
At The Luecht Historical Collection, our aim is to present history factually and without opinion. Ideally, history is experienced by each individual in their own way—through a lens of fairness and with respect for historical accuracy.
For many years, The Luecht Historical Collection grew while housed in a location available only for private viewing. Over time, we began inviting individuals, students, and groups to visit the collection. During this same period, there has been increasing frustration across our country with the lack of civility and the general decline in constructive collaboration.
An opportunity emerged. With TLHC as a platform, we expanded gatherings designed to encourage learning and the exchange of ideas, allowing people to engage with and draw inspiration from the collection. These efforts have proven successful—and notably, in a nonpartisan manner. Just as importantly, they have been enjoyable, bringing together individuals from all walks of life, exactly as we envisioned.
We have also developed and led leadership programming, which is a central focus of TLHC, particularly for young people.
In 2025, The Luecht Historical Collection was relocated to McHenry County College, where programming continues to grow. We hope this work advances our enduring goal: that we all strive for comprehensive solutions for the common good, while recognizing that every life on Earth holds equal value.
Mike Luecht, Founder
Mike Luecht’s passion for history, education and philanthropy are the driving forces behind making the formerly private Luecht Historical Collection now available for students, community groups, researchers and lifelong learners of all stripes.
For roughly 27 years, Luecht collected unique historical materials – from an inaugural George Washington button to letters penned by U.S. presidents, centuries-old maps, important documents from around the world, newspapers and more.
Luecht spent more than 17 years as founder, president and CEO of Itasca-based ML Realty Partners. Previously, he worked for 14 years at McShane Corporation, where he also was president. Throughout those years, he served on various corporate and community boards as well as advising leadership for various entities. Besides companies, these included agencies assisting victims of domestic violence, those providing mental health services, as well as particular attention towards people in need of basic resources.
But his greatest focus, he said, came from his family’s devotion to educational access initiatives, an example being scholarship and mentoring programs he and his wife, Judy, founded in Chicago and Joliet. Additionally, the Luechts were part of the Promise Program, which offered free tuition to McHenry County College (MCC) students during the global financial crisis in the late 2000’s. And it is in that vein, belief in access, that the Luecht Historical Collection now dwells at MCC.
“With its focus on learning, McHenry County College is central to creating an environment of curiosity, inspiration and innovation,” Luecht said. “For us, there’s no better location in the Chicagoland area for The Luecht Historical Collection.”
Optimally, the takeaways of those who visit will lead to greater civility in society, people seeking comprehensive solutions for the common good, and the recognition that every life on this earth is of equal value.
“We encourage learning and the exchange of ideas by having people engage with and draw inspiration from our collection,” he said. “The space is all about history, not politics, not division. It is our intent that each visitor will consume and value these historical artifacts in his or her own way, preferably through a lens of fairness.”
Luecht has been inducted into the Chicago Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame, is a requested speaker on leadership, and was a Fellow at Leadership Greater Chicago.
We would like to thank Mr. Brandon Cipolla for his excellent research and overall extraordinary efforts.
Additionally, we would like to thank Sarah Sullivan, Lisa Pettinelli, Michelle Obrochta, Christina Haggerty, Carrie Schirmacher, Lisa Waggoner, Helen Mora, Sue Dobbe, Morgan Leahy, Larry Turner, Jay Thompson, among many others, for their impactful work furthering the mission of The Luecht Historical Collection.
To contact The Luecht Historical Collection:
info@thelhc.org