CLINTON — Every house has a story, says Joey Long.  And, with help from area residents, she is working to tell some of those stories.

Long, director of the C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum, began earlier this year collecting photos and information on houses all over DeWitt County.  She plans to use the material in a presentation next spring, “Historical Houses of DeWitt County.”

“Originally, the deadline was for mid-October,” Long said.

Residents have emailed, mailed and dropped off photos and information for use in the exhibit.

“But, I kept getting such good stuff in, so now the deadline in Dec. 31.”

“What I’m learning is every house has a story,” Long said.  “Everyone who has brought something in about a house that is special to them, they have their reasons why this house is special.”

One has been occupied by six generations of the same family, another the first house a family resided in after moving to Illinois, while others have their own special stories of characteristics. 

Long told about a house near the DeWitt/Macon county line owned by a doctor where the owner discovered in the attic a painting of the home from the early 20th century.  The painting depicts a porch swing, which is still used at the house today.

“It’s interesting the things people find in their attics,” she said.

• See the complete story in the Friday, Nov. 12, print edition of the Clinton Journal or now in the Journal E-Edition for subscribers.