How To Become A Kit House Detective Subject of GEHS Sunday Program

Sunday, April 22, at 2:00 P.M., the Glen Ellyn Historical Society will host Rebecca Hunter, author, researcher, and lecturer who will explain “How To Become A Kit House Detective.”  The program is held at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main Street.  Hunter became fascinated with the phenomenon of mail order homes in 1996.  Pre-cut or “kit” homes were ordered by mail from companies such as Aladdin and Sears. These were copied from the most popular styles of the day, so they blend in with their neighbors.  Learn about the history of mail order buildings, efforts to locate these homes, and how to recognize interior evidence of kit house origin.

          Hunter has spoken at the American Institute of Architects, the Sears Home Owners Association, and public libraries throughout the state.  She is a speaker for the Illinois Humanities Council Speaker’s Bureau. Articles about Hunter have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, the Christian Science Monitor, the Elgin Courier, the Daily Herald and numerous other Illinois newspapers.  As a consultant, she has worked with the New York Times and  Wall Street Journal. Visit Hunter’s website at www.kithouse.org.

     Tickets are available for this program at Stacy’s Corners Store, 800 N. Main Street.  Ticket prices are $10 for adult non-GEHS members, $8 for GEHS members and $5 for students.  Call 630-369-1867 for information.