Do You Want To 'Read' Your Lower Providence House?

NORRISTOWN, PA -- Have you ever wanted to "read" your home?

Now's your chance. The Montgomery County Historical Society is offering a unique program for those interested in learning the historical value of their home.

When was it built? Who built it? How did it look originally? What changes have been made to the original building?

These questions will be addressed by the Historical Society's director, Barry Rauhauser, during two upcoming classes open to the public:

Reading Your House, on March 8, 2016 will introduce attendees to the fundamental tools you’ll need to start seeing your house in a new light. We’ll cover introductory topics on historic architecture including: formal and vernacular architecture, regional differences in house types (pre-1850), basic styles and construction techniques from 1700 to 1920, how to measure and draw a house, and how to look around at the landscape of houses in Montgomery County.

Part 2 of the course, Researching Your Home, will examine various documents related to house construction and occupancy that will give researchers more information about how houses and architecture function. We’ll look at deeds and probate records, mechanics’ liens, maps, census and tax records, and other sources of documentary evidence relating to houses. We’ll also spend part of this session looking at various local and regional resources that relate to the restoration and preservation of historic architecture.

Classes will be held on the following dates:

• Reading your house: March 8, 2016, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
• Researching your house: March 15, 2016, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

They will be held at 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, in the Meeting Room of the Historical Society of Montgomery County.

Each class is $25 for society members and $30 for nonmembers.

For more information, contact the Society at 610-272-0297.