A Road Scholar program by Rebecca Hunter

Mail order catalogs, established in the late 1880s, offered a wide variety of goods to a primarily rural market. House plan books appeared about the same time. In 1906, these two marketing techniques became integrated in the phenomenon of mail order homes. Learn about the architectural styles represented in mail order homes, and the history and inter-relationships among the major companies that sold homes in the Midwest market. Gain an understanding of how to locate and interpret evidence to authenticate mail order homes.

For more information contact Teresa Pennington, 217.463.3950.