Have you ever wondered about the history of your home, neighborhood or one you drive by or see often?

Here’s your chance to learn how to uncover the history all around you. Deb Sheals, an architectural historian and historic preservation consultant will be giving a free talk at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at the Columbia Public Library in the Friends Room.

The library’s calendar notes she’ll explain what records to look for to date historic houses and identify their early owners and occupants and where to find records online and locally.

The talk is called, “If Walls Could Talk.”

For example, this house is Wilson Avenue, which used to be Keiser Avenue. The name of the street was changed following the anti-German sentiments that arose following World War I, according to documents nominating the East Campus Neighborhood for placement on the Register. The document notes, “Wilson Avenue was once named Keiser Avenue, perhaps named after J. P.Keiser, who owned land in the area in the late 19th century. The name was changed in the late teens or early twenties, as a result of anti-German sentiments following WWI. The new name could be after Thomas C. Wilson, an early resident of 1507 Wilson, who served as the secretary to the Board of Agriculture in 1912…”

This talk could help you unearth equally interesting information about your own area.

What kinds of historic things have you learned about your home, neighborhood or areas you frequent? What records did you use or uncover?