Reading Your House, Researching Your Home Workshop

Reading Your House, Researching Your Home

The Historical Society of Montgomery County will present two classes on researching the history of your house. April 18 and 25, 2017, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Many people entering the doors of our Research Library & Archives are searching for information about their home. When was it built? By whom? What did it look like originally? Why does it look the way it does now? What can I do to preserve it? Our new workshop series this spring will offer an introduction into some of the things that will help anyone discover a little more about their home. The workshop will take place on two evenings in April.

Reading Your House, on April 18, 2017, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm 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, on April 25, 2017, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm 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 related 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. Part of this course will feature Mary Lou McFarland, Senior Preservation Specialist of the Heritage Conservancy who will discuss the role that the Conservancy plays in the preservation and protection of significant open spaces, natural resources, and the historic heritage of Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

Where: Classes will be held at 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA, in the Meeting Room of the Historical Society of Montgomery County

When: April 18, 2017, 6:00pm to 8:00pm – Reading Your House

April 25, 2017, 6:00pm to 8:00pm – Researching Your Home

Cost to attend each individual class is $25.00 per class for members of the Historical Society of Montgomery County and $30.00 for non-members. Cost to attend both sessions is $40.00 for members of the Historical Society of Montgomery County and $50.00 for non-members.