Habitat for Humanity Moves Historic House

Evy stands in front of “Hired Hands House,” a historic home in Illinois that a family in need will be able to purchase in the spring.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that builds affordable homes for people in need. Founded in 1976 in Georgia, the group constructs houses in the United States and more than 70 countries worldwide. Families work with volunteers to build the homes and then pay a low-cost mortgage. Habitat volunteers also help repair and adapt homes for older people. 

I recently visited Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County. It is located in Sycamore, Illinois. On the day I visited, the group was moving a house instead of building it. The historic house is known as the “Hired Hands House.” Built in 1927, it was once the residence of men who worked on a family farm, helping with livestock and planting crops.

The house was located on the campus of the DeKalb County History Center. When Habitat for Humanity was getting ready to build their 18th home n DeKalb County, it learned that plans for the History Center expansion didn’t include the Hired Hands House. Thanks to community support, the house was moved to a nearby town for a family in need.

“The History Center asked if Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County would be interested in a partnership that would save the home,” Kim McIver, Habitat for Humanity’s executive director, told me in an email. “I was extremely excited about this opportunity. For two years, I have driven by the home and always told myself it would make the perfect Habitat home.” 

Kim McIver, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, in front of the farmhouse before it was transported to a nearby town.

A LOT OF COORDINATION

On move day, October 21, the area was buzzing with activity. Workers operated heavy machinery. Police officers directed traffic, and members of the media conducted interviews. Interested spectators observed the action.

McIver said that the move required months of planning and a lot of coordination. The nonprofit worked with local communities, construction workers, excavators, who removed the farmhouse from its foundation, and the home moving company.

“So much more went into it than going from point A to point B,” McIver said. The roof of the house was taken off before the move so that it wouldn’t hit power lines.

The interior of the house will be renovated before the family moves in.

PRESERVING THE STORIES

In the spring, Habitat volunteers and trade workers will renovate the interior of the house. It will then be ready for the family to move in.

“Preserving this house, which has been around [for almost a century], means that we preserved the stories that are within the walls of the home,” McIver said. “Those stories will remain with our 18th Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County partner family, who will purchase this home once we have completed the rehab.”