HR0270 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0270 LRB103 32285 ECR 61577 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Based out of the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, the Norwood Park Historical Society (NPHS) was established on September 6, 1973 to preserve, protect, and share the history of Norwood Park; and

WHEREAS, An entirely volunteer-run operation, the NPHS maintains a local history museum, archives, exhibits, and an event space on the northwest side of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, The NPHS hosts a variety of events, including general interest programs, game nights, and knit and crochet nights, along with other special events; and

WHEREAS, NPHS provides information on the evolution of Norwood Park as a prairie, farm community, village, and now vibrant city neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, In 1831, Mark Noble Sr. arrived in the Chicago Settlement from Yorkshire, England, and he and Margaret Noble purchased real estate, including 150 acres of prairie that is now Norwood Park; and

WHEREAS, The Nobles built their home on Union Ridge, being the first non-indigenous residents in the area, and their sawn lumber home is the oldest existing house in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, In 1868, Thomas Seymour of Chicago's Board of Trade and his wife, Louise, purchased the house and adjacent property and then enlarged it with an Italianate addition; and

WHEREAS, In 1916, Charlotte and Stuart Crippen purchased the Noble-Seymour House and adjoining property as a summer residence and added plumbing and electricity, making Norwood Park their permanent residence; and

WHEREAS, On New Year's Eve 1987, Agnes Crippen, the daughter-in-law of Charlotte and Stuart, and her children sold the house and remaining land to the Norwood Park Historical Society, bringing a beloved addition for the NPHS in the new year; and

WHEREAS, The NPHS made its headquarters in the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, including a museum, archives, and meeting space; and

WHEREAS, On May 11, 1988, the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House was designated a City of Chicago Historical Landmark, and on August 10, 2000, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, Exhibits in the museum maintained by the NPHS include Margaret Crippen's 20th century period-decorated bedroom, photographs and maps displaying Norwood Park's history, "Vanishing Norwood Park" to show the community's changes over the years, and "Can You Dig It?" with artifacts uncovered from the residence's lawn; and

WHEREAS, The Norwood Park Historical Society has preserved the history of Norwood Park for half a century and enriched its community by connecting residents with their neighborhood's history; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Norwood Park Historical Society on 50 years of establishment.