Oswego museum offers program on discovering your home’s history May 22

Observe National Preservation Month in May with an event that will help participants learn more about the old house they live in.

“Brick by Brick: Tracking Your Home’s History,” will be presented at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at the Little White School Museum, 72 Polk Street, Oswego.

Oswegoland Heritage Association Board Member Tina Beaird will be the presenter.

If walls could talk...Was your home moved, damaged by fire, or enlarged to accommodate a growing family? Spend some time finding out how to find out as Beaird offers strategies for researching the history of your home by using government records, newspapers, phone directories, maps and other resources. Every home tells a story, what does yours say?

Face coverings and social distancing will be practiced for this program. Pre-registration, $5 per person, is encouraged because of pandemic capacity limits, but walk-ins the day of the program will be accommodated on a space-available basis. Pre-register for this program aimed at those 16 and older by visiting the Oswegoland Park District’s web site at oswegolandparkdistrict.org/ or by calling 630-554-1010 and referencing program 19762.

South Main Street architecture walk to be repeated in June

From 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, June 13, join the museum and the heritage association for a leisurely walk down Main Street to discover the architectural history of these homes as well as the stories about the Oswegoans who built and lived in them.

The walk will be a repeat of the one offered by Oswegoland Heritage Association Board Members Ted Clauser and Linda Heap Dean on May 15.

“The May 15 walk filled up so quickly we decided to offer another one to give those unable to attend a chance to learn about this fascinating area of the village,” Clauser said.

If you’ve driven down Oswego’s South Main Street from Washington Street to Ill. Route 71, you may have wondered about the histories behind the distinctive houses you passed.

From what may be the oldest house in Oswego, to homes built in distinctive architectural styles from Greek Revival to a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired in-line flat roofed Usonian, participants will learn about the community’s rich architectural history by strolling down a single village street.

Participants 16 and older should be able to comfortably walk for approximately one hour and be prepared to be part of the afternoon’s conversation. Face coverings and social distancing will be practiced for this outdoor walk.

Pre-registration, $5 per person, is required and space is limited, so don’t delay your registration. Register by visiting the Oswegoland Park District’s web site at oswegolandparkdistrict.org/ or by calling 630-554-1010 and referencing program 20632.

The walk begins at Tyler and Main streets in downtown Oswego, and participants should meet there.

For more information on the upcoming programs or on the museum visit littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org, email cheidrich@littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org, or call 630-554-4494.