THE ROCKFORD HOME SOURCE

		The Graham-Ginestra house has been owned by only two families, is Rockford's first commissioned landmark,  and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This property is currently a museum and is located just south of downtown Rockford at 1115 South Main Street. The home was recently sold to a new owner interested in the preservation of a quality, well-maintained, historic property and will remain available to the public as a museum. For information on historic properties and older homes: Phone 1-815-381-6850 Toll-Free: 1-800-666-3530 ext. 6850 Email: bill@aboutrockfordhomes.com

	HISTORIC ROCKFORD HOME
	Freeman Graham Sr., a prominent local businessman, built the house in 1857. Graham died in 1896 and in 1927 Leo Ginestra bought the house. He died in 1978, and his wife, Mary, died in 1979. Their daughter established the Graham-Ginestra House Inc. in 1978, a nonprofit corporation with a board of directors, to maintain the house. In 1979, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places and became the first commissioned landmark of the Rockford historic Preservation Commission. Landmark status provides that a private buyer cannot make changes to the exterior of the home without approval of the local commission. The inside of the home is not restricted by provisions of landmark status but is intended to be preserved and maintained to retain the integrity of this historic property. The home has been maintained as a museum and open to the public for tours and special events since the early 1980s.
						The property has been owned and occupied by only two families, as evidenced by the amazing degree of preservation of the house and its contents. The architecture combines the Greek Revival and Italianate styles as found in the U.S. The facade of symmetrical windows and heavy, plain lintels shows Greek Revival elements, while the ornamental entrance canopies and eave brackets are Italianate. Foundation and walls are of one-foot thick dolomitic limestone, indigenous to Illinois and hewn and shaped on the site from six-foot slabs. Left over stone was used in the wall at the back of the property. Outbuildings include a stone privy and a frame coach house with summer and winter stables. A picket fence with stone posts and an elegant wooden gate border the property on the front side. The English Garden, on a separate lot, adjoining the drive, is dedicated to the Founders of Rockford--Germanicus Kent, Thatcher Blake and Lewis Lemon. The house has nine rooms: parlor, sitting room, library, dining room and three bedrooms which are original, and kitchen and garden room which are additions. There is also a large workroom and storage area behind the garden room. There are two bathrooms, one on each floor. Double entry doors with leaded glass windows open into the front hallway.  This entrance hallway opens onto the parlor framed by ionic columns standing on carved bases and supporting a horizontal beam decorated with a French motif of ribbons and masks of Comedy and Tragedy. The parlor ceiling features the original mural, which has been exposed for 145 years. It was hand-painted with roses surrounded by a black Victorian fence and seven stenciled designs. Above the picture molding is a gold frieze with leaf-like design. This gold lattice of the frieze and the roses on the walls were recently rediscovered and restored. Between the two front windows is a large glass pier mirror. The fireplace in the parlor is fitted with an electric appliance simulating glowing coals. There is a large beveled glass mirror above the fireplace. The floors of the parlor, lower and upper hallway, and stairway are covered in Victorian patterned carpet over oak wood. The sitting room contains the original gray stone fireplace mantel with ornate brass surround and gas logs on a tile hearth. The ceiling murals were rediscovered and professionally restored by Chicago Architectural Artists in the 1990's. A medallion on the ceiling surrounds the base of a Victorian chandelier. The floor is a parquet of oak, walnut, maple and pine. There is an outside entrance to the sitting room from the side porch adjacent to the circular driveway. The library is separated from the sitting room by pocket doors with panels hand-painted to simulate wood grain. The floor is a parquet of black cherry and maple. The 1940’s modern full bathroom, accessed through the library, has tiled walls and floors and a leaded glass window. The dining room with built-in storage has a parquet floor of alternating cherry and maple squares, starting out small in the middle of the room and increasing in size toward the perimeter. Service stairs lead from the dining room up to the back hallway on the second floor. There is a butler’s pantry off of the hall between the dining room and kitchen. Stairs from the hall lead to the basement. The modern kitchen was built into the breezeway in the 1980's and separates the original house proper from the garden room. There is an outside entrance to the kitchen from the adjacent patio. The large garden room overlooks the patio and gardens beyond. Behind the garden room is the large workroom containing potting benches and abundant storage area.  The garden room roof can be accessed through a door on the back hallway on the second floor.  Returning the tour to the entrance hallway at the front of the house, the beautiful freestanding curving stairway sweeps upward from the hallway to the sitting area and bedrooms on the second floor. The hallway and stairs, carpeted in a Victorian print, are illuminated by a crystal chandelier and by a stained glass window added in the 1890’s; inspired by the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The ceiling mural above the staircase represents blue sky with white clouds and a bird in flight while the wall decoration with Ginkgo leaf design suggests an atrium. Over the period from 1857 to 1926, the mural designs along the staircase were changed a few times, and the originals found under layers of paint have been carefully restored. The stairway wall features a "coffin niche" at the bend in the stairs. Off of the sitting area at the top of the stairs is the front bedroom, wallpapered in a delicate floral pattern and illuminated by three windows. It is furnished with an antique Eastlake pine bedroom suite, a treadle sewing machine and a doll collection. The oak floor is covered by area rugs. The large master bedroom, spanning the width of the house, has a built-in linen closet, a cedar clothes closet added in the 1920's and three windows. It is furnished with a Victorian Eastlake suite of black walnut that belonged to the first owner of the house. The room also features an extensive collection of period clothing. The oak floor is covered by area rugs.  There is a door way between master bedroom and back hallway. The third bedroom is located off the back hallway, reached by the service stairway from the dining room or from the master bedroom. There is also a large storage closet and a full bath off of the back hallway, and the roof of the garden room can be accessed through a door at the end of the hallway.  The bathroom is tiled in black and white reminiscent of Chicago hotels of the 1930’s. Interior wooden shutters cover all the windows in the house. The doors have beautiful Victorian hardware. The service stairs connect the second floor back hallway with the main floor dining room. From the hallway between the dining room and kitchen, stairs lead down to the basement. The basement, paved with brick, contains a pie-pantry and a wine cellar with wine-making apparatus and wooden casks from the Graham distillery which were used to age homemade wine. There is a laundry area plus four storage rooms. Stairs covered by a steel cellar door provide direct access to the outside. A well maintained gas furnace provides hot water heat for the house, and there is a monitored alarm system. The Grounds The Dolomitic Stone Privy with copper roof has been restored.  The frame double coach house with hayloft and stables are used to store gardening equipment and supplies.  A circular driveway separates the house from the Founders’ Garden. Roses provide a border between the drive and the Founders’ Garden and Meidiland and Mary Rose shrub roses bloom all summer along the picket fence at the front of the property. A background of stately trees and boxwood shrubs frame the Gazebo. The many perennials provide colorful blooms from spring through fall. The garden is graced with an iron Ogee Arch, a large fountain, cement benches and Victorian wrought iron jardinieres. Some plants on the property date back to1857 when the house was built. There is an underground sprinkler system for watering the gardens.

The Graham-Ginestra House 1115 South Main Street, Rockford, Illinois 61102 The 1857 Graham & Ginestra historical house is listed on the National Register. Italianate limestone exterior with interior ceiling and wall murals. Wood inlay flooring, Ionic columns, stained glass, curved staircase, carriage house, double lot, garden gazebo and English garden. Maintained since 1979 by the not-for-profit Graham-Ginestra House Inc. The property is on Rockford's "Cultural Corridor" of gardens, museums and entertainment and is located next door to the Ethnic Heritage Museum and just three blocks from Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum.

		TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER HISTORIC HOMES IN THE ROCKFORD AREA, EMAIL BILL MAREK TO FIND ALL THE HOMES LISTED FOR SALE IN THE ROCKFORD AREA

		Thinking of relocating to the Rockford area of Northern Illinois? Having your own "Personal Realtor®" working for you doesn't cost you any more when you purchase a home. Even though it's free, having the services of your own professional Realtor in finding the right home, answering your questions, and assisting you throughout the process can be worth plenty. My goal is to provide the service, attention, and results that will make your real estate buying experience a pleasant and successful one. Call me at 815-381-6850

		Recipient of the Illinois Association of Realtors 2001 President's Achievement Award Let me show you what I can do for you as your "Personal Realtor"
					Contact Bill Marek by e-mail
					by phone: 815-381-6850 ­ Office Direct toll free: 1-800-666-3530 ext. 6850 by fax: 815-227-5599 by mail: Bill Marek Dickerson & Nieman, Realtors 6277 East Riverside Blvd Rockford, IL 61114

	FOR MORE HOME BUYING AND SELLING INFORMATION GO TO:  [ FIND HOMES FOR SALE ] [ Sunday Open Houses ] [ EASY SEARCH UPDATES–Get The Most Current Information on Homes For Sale ] [ Rockford Area Lenders and Interest Rates ] [ Mortgage & Finance Information ] [ Monthly Mortgage Payment Calculator ] [ Apply for a Mortgage and Financing Pre-Approval ] [ Home Inspection Guide ]      [ Get Relocation Information Mailed to You ] [ Relocating Guide to the Rockford area ] [ Rockford Community and School Links ] [ Winnebago County "SCHOOLS REPORT CARDS" ] [ Relocating Guide to the Ogle County area ] [ Ogle County Community and School Links ]  [ Ogle County-land-homes-business-TODAY'S LATEST LISTINGS ]      [ How to Sell a Home ]      [ Information for Homeowners ] [ Real Estate Questions and Answers ] [ Senior Retirement Planning -- Comparison of Nursing Home Facilities ]  [ Fixing-up and improving your home -- how-to tips ]    [ NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMES -- Floor Plans, Custom Build Designs ] [ What's The Value of My Home -- FREE HOME MARKET appraisal ] [ Contact Bill Marek for Buying or Selling Real Estate in the Rockford Illinois area ] [ Home Page ] ALL INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED ACCURATE, BUT IS NOT A WARRANTY BY AGENT, SELLER, OR BROKER. © Copyright 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008  Bill Marek, Personal Realtor®, Rockford, IL This Rockford Illinois real estate information and search website can be reached thru www.aboutRockfordHomes.com, www.RockfordHomeSource.com, www.GoHomeRockford.com, www.rockford-real-estate-resource-center.com, www.RockfordRealEstateResourceCenter.com, www.oglecounty-homes-land.com, www.OgleCountyIllinoisHomes.com, www.SearchOgleHomes.com, www.WinnebagoCountyIllinoisHomes.com, www.BooneCountyIllinoisHomes.com, www.SellingaRockfordHome.com, www.BuyingaRockfordHome.com, www.RelocationRealtorReferralsNationwidee.com,  www.NewNorthernIllinoisProperties.com, www.myRockfordRealtor.com, www.BillsMyRealtor.com, www.RockfordHomeListings.com Rockford home source information is provided as a service to help you better understand issues related to the process of buying or selling real estate, especially in the Rockford Illinois area. The accuracy of content is not guaranteed, nor is it intended to replace the advice of an attorney, financial advisor, accountant, tax advisor, lender, home inspection service, building contractor or other real estate professional. This site contains links to other real estate related internet sites. These resources are selected on the basis of ease-of-use and helpful content for owning, buying, or selling a home, and no information, product, or service has been endorsed or approved by us. Privacy Statement: We are dedicated to protecting your privacy and handling your information in a secure and confidential manner. We know that having trust and confidence in the people you work with is important to you and we value the trust you place in us to protect your information. We do not permit list brokers, mail-order businesses, telemarketers, or other marketing companies to contact you to promote their products or services, and we do not sell, lend, or give out your information for this purpose. We use your information only to help us provide the home buying or selling real estate services you request. Bill Marek is a residential real estate agent in the Rockford Illinois area, and, as a REALTOR©, is a member of the National Association of Realtors©, Illinois Association of Realtors©, and Rockford Area Association of Realtors©. Homes and real estate listings on the Rockford Area Association of Realtors® multiple listing service are updated throughout the day for the latest and most accurate information on the availability of homes, condominiums, duplexes, rural or country property, river, water front, and water view property in the Rockford Illinois Rock River Valley area of  Winnebago, Boone and Ogle counties including: Rockford zip codes 61101, 61102, 61103, 61104, 61105, 61106, 61107, 61108, 61109, 61110, 61112, 61114, 61125, 61126; Belvidere 61008; Cherry Valley 61016; Stillman Valley 61084; Byron 61010; Oregon 61061; Loves Park 61111, 61130, 61131, 61132; Machesney Park 61115; Caledonia 61011; Roscoe 61073; Rockton 61072; Poplar Grove 61065; Davis Junction 61020; Garden Prairie 61038; Winnebago 61088, Pecatonica 61063; Capron 61012 and surrounding communities in north and northwest Illinois. BOOKMARK or SAVE THIS SITE TO YOUR FAVORITES and visit often for timely information on houses for sale anywhere in the Rockford and Northwest Illinois area, new construction home floor plans, custom built house plans and designs, plus home selling and home buying help, tips on how-to-buy and how-to-sell a home in Rockford Illinois, mortgage and financing information, Rockford area mortgage rates and mortgage payment calculator, relocation and moving information, Rockford area schools and community information, information for Seniors and for first time home buyers, real estate investment, online house plans, tips on home improvement and home decorating, lots-acreage-land-new home building sites-new home subdivisions, free home evaluation, and free real estate reports from your Personal Realtor® in the Rockford area We hope you have found aboutRockfordHomes -- the Rockford Home Source -- a most useful resource in your search for information about buying or selling a home or real estate in the Rockford Illinois Rock River Valley area of Northwest Illinois. We're continually striving to improve this site with the goal of making it your personal Rockford Real Estate Resource Center.