Charnley-Norwood House

10/15/2026

As restoration plans take shape, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fountainhead is emerging from decades of mystery to become a premier cultural destination. See link below ⬇️

📸 Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger

10/15/2026

09/22/2026

We are so excited to be part of the Ocean Springs' Fall 2026 Tour of Homes !

BONUS HOME REVEAL 🗝️

We have one more door to open.

When we first started planning the Ocean Springs Tour of Homes, we hoped it would be a special day for our community and an opportunity to support an even more special cause. The response has meant so much to us, so as a thank you to everyone who has purchased a ticket and supported the tour, we’ve added a fifth home.

And what a home it is.

Meet the Charnley-Norwood House.

Built along East Beach in 1890–1891, the home was designed by renowned Chicago architect Louis Sullivan and is closely associated with his young draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright. Commissioned as a winter retreat for James and Helen Charnley, its design was remarkably different for its time.

Rather than borrowing from the European styles popular in the late 1800s, the home embraced its surroundings. Its low profile, broad porches, flowing rooms, and natural materials created a distinctly American style shaped by the landscape and Gulf Coast climate, ideas that would help foreshadow modern American architecture.

Frederick and Elizabeth Norwood purchased the home in 1896. After a fire destroyed it the following year, it was rebuilt under Sullivan’s direction with rare curly longleaf pine throughout the interior. The Norwoods called the estate “Bon Silene.”

More than a century later, the Charnley-Norwood House still stands along East Beach. After Hurricane Katrina severely damaged it in 2005, the State of Mississippi purchased and restored the home. Today, it is protected as a Mississippi Landmark and managed by the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area.

On October 17, this remarkable piece of Ocean Springs history becomes the fifth and final home on our tour.

A little something extra to say thank you for making our first Tour of Homes so special. 🤍

09/15/2026

Great news from the Charnley–Norwood House!

Our staff will be on site most weekdays now. If the gate is open, we’re open—walk-ins are welcome. Prefer a guided experience or visiting when the gate is closed? Call (228) 234-7298 to schedule a guided tour.

Where to find us: 509 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.

Why visit: This coastal treasure was designed in 1890 by architect Louis Sullivan with Frank Lloyd Wright and is celebrated as an early landmark of modern American residential design. The house was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina and later restored so visitors can experience this piece of architectural history right on East Beach.

Bring a friend, bring a class, or bring the whole family—see you on East Beach!

09/15/2026

What if one of the most important homes in American architectural history was hiding right here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast?

The Charnley-Norwood House in Ocean Springs was originally built in 1890 as a winter retreat for Chicago couple James and Helen Charnley. The home is credited to legendary architect Louis H. Sullivan, working with his young apprentice, Frank Lloyd Wright, who would go on to become one of the most famous architects in American history.

The Charnleys came south to escape Chicago winters and city life, settling along quiet East Beach. After they sold the property to Fred and Elizabeth Norwood in 1896, disaster struck. The house burned in 1897 and was rebuilt with Sullivan’s involvement, creating the home that stands today.

More than 125 years later, you can still walk through the house and see architectural ideas that were remarkably modern for their time: a low horizontal profile, wide porches, natural materials, and a design connected to its coastal setting.

Today, the Charnley-Norwood House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Mississippi Landmark.

And it’s right here in Ocean Springs.

Have you ever visited the Charnley-Norwood House?

📍 509 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, Mississippi

09/14/2026

We’re hiring!

The Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, a program of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, is looking for a Historic Preservation Coordinator to join our team.

This is a great opportunity for someone interested in historic preservation, cultural heritage, community outreach, grants, project management, sustainability, and coastal resilience. The position works with communities and partners across Mississippi’s six coastal counties to help preserve and promote the places and stories that make the Gulf Coast special.

Position: Historic Preservation Coordinator
Job Classification: Environmental/Natural Resources Specialist III
Preferred: Bachelor’s degree and 4–6 years of relevant experience
Application Deadline: September 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST
Job Number: 9410-0450-20260909HAR

View the full job listing and apply here:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mississippi/jobs/5476080/historic-preservation-coordinator?page=4&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

More information about employment with MDMR:
https://dmr.ms.gov/employment/

Please share and help us spread the word!

09/09/2026

Stretching from St. Augustine, Florida, to San Diego, California, the Old Spanish Trail was one of the earliest transcontinental highways in the United States. Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the historic route connected waterfront communities that were once separated by rivers, bays, and marshes, creating a new way for travelers to experience the region’s seafood, architecture, and maritime traditions.

“The journey is not just about getting somewhere. It is about slowing down to discover the history, local flavors, and hidden stories that make each coastal community unique,” says Chelsea Prince, outreach coordinator for the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area. Much of the route follows U.S. Highway 90, where travelers can stop at the Biloxi Lighthouse, the Charnley-Norwood House in Ocean Springs, and the historic communities of Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis.

America’s best road trips predate the interstate—and they’re still worth the drive. Learn more at the link in the comments ⬇️

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

🏡 Labor Day Closure

The Charnley-Norwood House will be closed on Labor Day in observance of the holiday.

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day! 🇺🇸

09/03/2026