(October 5, 2022) – The Norwood Park Historical Society is awarded a $25,000 41st Ward Community Norwood Park Programming Microgrant, at the recommendation of 41st Ward Ald. Anthony Napolitano. He submitted the Society for this funding as it continues to preserve and maintain the city’s and Norwood Park’s treasure, the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, Chicago’s oldest.
“This grant will help us overcome the lack of revenue during the pandemic and strengthen our finances for the upcoming year,” said Bob Kelly, Society president. “Our membership is deeply grateful to Ald. Napolitano for his encouragement and support of our organization. We will now be recognized as a delegate agency by the City of Chicago, and that is a real plus.”
While the grant is forthcoming, there are extensive documents that must be completed to meet the city’s stringent reporting requirements. At the appropriate time, more details covering the grant will be brought before the Society’s board of directors to examine a list of priorities as to where and how the money should be allocated and spent.
The NPHS, founded in 1973, purchased the historic Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, 5624 N. Newark Ave. in Chicago, in 1987, and restored the interior to the early-1920s, to reflect the period shortly after the Stuart Crippen family purchased the house and grounds in 1916. During the 1997 restoration, the house was identified as being built in 1833, making it the oldest house in Chicago. The house was declared a Chicago Landmark on May 11, 1988, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 10, 2000.
Docent-led tours are available on Saturdays, from noon to 4 p.m., or by special appointment. For more information, call the Norwood Park Historical Society at 773-631-4633 or visit their website at www.norwoodparkhistoricalsociety.org.
For additional information: Call: Stan Banash (630) 346-5533