Open house at Charnley-Norwood House set for Sunday, Dec. 13

Open house at Charnley-Norwood House set for Sunday, Dec. 13

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. – The public is invited to celebrate a Victorian Christmas from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Charnley-Norwood House.

The reception is free, and refreshments will be served. Parking is available at the Mary C. O’Keefe Arts and Education Center, 1600 Government St. Transportation from there to the home will be provided for free by Coast Transit Authority.

The home was designed and built in 1890 by renowned architect Louis Sullivan of Chicago. Frank Lloyd Wright was his draftsman who assisted with the design. The home was destroyed by a fire in 1897 but was rebuilt immediately.

Hurricane Katrina damaged the home in 2005, but the state Department of Archives and History did emergency stabilization work. In 2011, MDMR purchased the property and manages it through the Gulf Coast National Heritage Area.

“We always look forward to Christmas at the Charnley-Norwood house,” said Rhonda Price, director of the Gulf Coast National Heritage Area. “The open house gives everyone a special opportunity to tour the home during the holidays.”

“We are fortunate to have such an important example of architectural transition from Victorian to modern style as made famous by the evolving Prairie design heralded by Frank Lloyd Wright,” said Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran. “We are pleased to partner with the MDMR and other agencies to showcase this beautiful late 19th-century home to the public this Sunday.”

Those who attend are asked to wear appropriate footwear for softwood floors. No high heels will be allowed on the floors.

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov.