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On Saturday, the Society's Historic Preservation Committee hosted an Old House Workshop designed to teach people how to research the history of their houses. It was, in a nutshell, a smashing success!

Among many others, the owners of a bank, a Druids Hall and a mechanics garage all came to research the history of the buildings that they today call their homes, and in the process, the Historic Preservation Committee learned a thing or two, too.

Ever since she purchased her home on Beck, one participant wondered about the barred windows and safes installed throughout the house. Another resident was researching a residence on High Street that was converted to a Druid's then American Legion Hall. A third neighbor has wondered about a concrete "patio" in her backyard for several years, and learned at our workshop the "patio" was none other than a building foundation for a mechanic that once worked on her lot.

We can learn a lot about our houses from physical evidence (safes and "patios") and a lot from neighbors and family (word of mouth stories about the bank that used to be on Beck Street). Researchers can also gain tons of information from historic photographs -- if you're lucky enough to own or find them -- and old maps.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps told us about the High Street house that was used as a Druids Hall. These maps show the historic "footprint" of a building and also indicate its use. These are a wonderful resource for individuals wondering just how old an addition may be.

Sanborn Maps also gave proof of the mechanic shop foundation disguised as a patio, and this is a great instance of multiple research methods working together - "concrete evidence" was one thing, but seeing "mechanic shop" written on a map sealed the deal for this homeowner.

The German Village Society is very lucky to own several sets of Sanborn Maps that show German Village addresses, and members are welcome to visit the Meeting Haus and utilize the maps. We have maps here for 1891, 1901, 1922, 1951, and 1971. The Columbus Metropolitan Library has Sanborn Maps for most of the state of Ohio, and these are available at the library's Web site free of charge (but you do need a library card).

I think one reason our workshop was so successful is that people living in our historic neighborhood simply enjoy learning about its history. So many people walked our brick sidewalks before us, and I think it is a credit to the neighborhood that so many of us are interested in learning about those earlier residents.

Another reason I think the workshop was successful is that the buildings in German Village and the South Side have history, plain and simple. Whether or not you're interested in learning about who lived in your home before you, you've got to appreciate the age your home has -- perhaps that's a big reason that you purchased it.

With suburban developments popping up seemingly overnight, it's comforting to know that we live and work in a place that has some longevity, some character. A lot of people lived here before us, and because of our successful preservation efforts, many will live here long after us.

So participants in last Saturday's workshop -- pat yourselves on the back, and thank you for being so interested in your homes. You truly are caretakers of an important legacy.

And for everyone else interested in the history of their bricks and the families that stepped upon them as you do today, the research is at your fingertips and I would be happy to point you in the right direction.

Jody Graichen is director of Historic Preservation Programs for the German Village Society and columnist for ThisWeek German Village.