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Transcript

I’m Grace Norris. I was born in 1862 near Dover, Illinois and lived my entire life in Bureau County. My parents were Ann and Sam Clark.

I attended school in the Dover area and graduated from Dover Academy, which was the equivalent of high school at the time. Fred and I were 35 years old when we got married in October 1898.

My father, Sam Clark, and Fred’s uncle, Isaac, were business partners at one time, so our families knew each other well. We lived near LaMoille on Fred’s farm called Pleasant Fields. We had one child who died at birth.

About twelve years after we were married, we decided to leave the farm and move in with my parents in their big home on Park Avenue West, just down the street from here, in Princeton. My mother, Ann, was in poor health, and I wanted to be with her. After Mother and Dad both passed away, Fred and I continued to live in the mansion on Park Avenue.

I’m best remembered for my involvement and generosity in the community. Fred and I didn’t have any children, so I spent my time sharing our home and money with other people and organizations.

One of my favorite activities was hosting dinner parties. I invited as many as 150 people for a sit-down dinner! Christmas was the grandest party of all. My housekeeper, Darlene, hired 17 women for the day to come in and help her with all the work. I gave Christmas gifts to everyone who attended. I hired young girls to come in and wrap all of those presents for me.

I also invited the graduating seniors of Princeton High School to the house every spring for a reception and garden party in the back yard. I was very proud to leave my home to the Bureau County Historical Society. I knew they needed a bigger place for a museum—they just had one room in the Court House basement—so I gave them my house in my will. I hope you’ll stop by 109 Park Avenue West and visit soon!