Walk-in tours available for historic Charnley-Norwood House in Ocean Springs

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WXXV)- The Charnley-Norwood House in Ocean Springs is now open for walk-in tours.

The home was designed by Louis Sullivan in 1890 with a young Frank Lloyd Wright helping in the design process.

It’s also been said that the Charnley-Norwood House served as the inspiration for Wright’s career and future designs.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area has opened the Charnley-Norwood House for walk-in tours where previously tours could only be scheduled by phone.

The National Heritage Area says any time the gate is open, visitors can walk in. Outreach Coordinator Chelsea Prince said, “We get to work out of the Charley – Norwood House so staff will be here on site most weekdays. We still don’t know exactly our hours, but I would say weekdays during business hours. You can stop by unless the gate is closed.”

Prince says that the staff will show guests around when available. She advises anyone wanting a guided tour to call ahead and book one.

The home gets its name from the family who lived in it originally, Architect Louis Sullivan designed two neighboring homes, one for himself and one for James and Helen Charnley. All three using the homes as a way to escape Chicago winters.

The Charnley’s sold the home to Fred and Elizabeth Norwood in 1896 with the first tragedy affecting the home in February 1897.

A fire destroyed the home, but the rebuilding process was fast, with additional improvements post-fire thanks to the help of Sullivan.

The home was then nicknamed “Bon Silene” – meaning good salt water or good salt marsh. The meadow in front of and surrounding the home is rich in biodiversity. The grassland is home to pollinators and wildflowers, offering resources to the local wildlife.

Prince says the home itself has gone through disasters such as the fire and hurricanes. Hurricane Katrina damaged the home, almost leading to its demolition before the state Department of Archives and History stepped in.

The Charnley – Norwood House was acquired by the state of Mississippi in 2011 and the Gulf Coast National Heritage Area manages the property.

Without these efforts, the home would no longer exist. “This is a very historical home when it comes to American architecture. Working as Sullivan’s apprentice at the time was Frank Lloyd Wright. There are many features of the home that you will see when you come here that reflect a lot of his philosophy.”

Prince also shared with us that later in life, Wright claimed authorship of the home following the death of Sullivan. She says it is unknown the extent of work Wright claims, but says the out buildings reflect Frank Lloyd Wright designs. “There are not many homes left on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that are this historic. This is truly a testament of how important this home is.”

Wright did work on two other homes in Mississippi – The Fuller Home in Pass Christian was destroyed during Hurricane Camille in 1969 while Fountainhead in Jackson has recently been placed for sale. The Mississippi Museum of Art is negotiating to acquire it.

Prince says the Gulf Coast Historical Area is planning to start a volunteer program at the home. If you’re interested in being a volunteer, be on the lookout for a volunteer guide program information in the months to come.