Learn how to research your house's history at workshop

You don't need Sherlock Holmes to reveal clues to your home's history, but a few well-informed tips and helpful resources from an architectural preservation expert might point you in the right direction.

The Elmhurst History Museum offers an opportunity for curious homeowners who want to know more about their homes. On Sunday, May 7, architecture educator and preservation specialist Jean Guarino presents the Hunting for Your House History workshop. The program takes place from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the Elmhurst History Museum's Education Center, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst.

Guarino is an independent architectural and urban historian specializing in the documentation of cultural resources. She teaches design and architectural history classes at the college/university level including at the Art Institute of Chicago, and is a private consultant for municipalities, architecture firms, developers and nonprofit organizations. Guarino is co-author of the book "Benjamin H. Marshall, Chicago Architect" and has written many landmark designation reports for city of Chicago landmarks.

During the workshop, Guarino will lead participants through the steps of researching their own house history including: where to find primary source documents, online resources and combing the archives of local institutions - including resources at the Elmhurst History Museum.

The program costs $15 for members of the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, and $20 for others. Reservations may be made online at elmhursthistory.org, in the Adult Program section, or by calling (630) 833-1457.

The workshop is presented in conjunction with the Elmhurst History Museum's latest exhibit, "House and Home," a traveling exhibit from the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., and NEH on the Road. The exhibit, up through Thursday, May 25, explores the various meanings of home to Americans through an expansive array of household objects, interactive displays, detailed house models, video content and more. Admission to the exhibit is free.