The Norwood Park Historical Society will host its annual House History and Renovator Resource Day on Saturday, April 24, noon to 4 p.m., at the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, 5624 N. Newark Ave., Chicago. Admission is free and all events are open to the public.

The Norwood Park Historical Society frequently receives requests from homeowners – both new and established residents – who are curious about their house and the surrounding area. The Historical Society assists these residents by providing information about who built the house, its previous residents, and its architectural style.

Society members will be available to assist visitors in their research projects. Although many of the reference materials focus on Norwood Park, residents of surrounding communities are also welcome. Access to all materials is free; a nominal fee is charged for photocopying.

Several Norwood Park Historical Society publications will be available for purchase, including a reference on researching house history and “Houses 2008,” a children’s coloring book that features some of the architectural styles of Norwood Park. Visitors are also welcome to visit museum displays, featuring community history, a 1927 family wedding, and buried treasure.

Available at this event:
• Reference materials assembled about Norwood Park houses during the Chicago Landmark Commission’s 1985-86 survey of the 41st Ward.
• House histories from three decades of local house walks and holiday house tours.
• Selected articles on community history for Norwood Park and other area neighborhoods.
• References on architectural styles, including bungalows, especially related to the Chicago area.
• A collection of magazines and other references to help make appropriate choices when renovating historic properties.
• Information on preservation, landmark status, and related programs available.
• Maps showing the area in earlier eras.

New in 2010:
In the early 20th century, a number of Norwood Park house were built with the help of kits ordered from Sears, Roebuck & Co. Builders could choose from a variety of styles and plans, and the parts arrived pre-numbered with instructions on how to assemble them. Representatives of the Kalo Foundation, who are planning May tours and programs on Park Ridge’s Sears Houses, will be available to discuss what they have been learning about these mail-order houses.

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