Evanston Homeowners Find 112-Year-Old Letter in Wall
The century-old Swedish correspondence was discovered hidden inside the wall of a home during a kitchen renovation.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Home Renovation
Evanston homeowners Kate and Bill Pearce uncovered an unopened 112-year-old letter written in Swedish during a kitchen renovation project. The letter, dating back to 1914, was found concealed behind a built-in structure while the couple worked on their 1899 Queen Anne-style home.
Why it matters
The letter remained hidden for decades because it was originally addressed to a neighboring property rather than the house where it was found. This discovery highlights the unexpected historical artifacts that can be preserved within the walls of aging residential architecture.
The home, located in Evanston, was built in 1899 and purchased by its current owners in January 2022. The discovered correspondence is dated to 1914.
The players
Kate Pearce
She is a homeowner in Evanston who discovered the historic document during home renovations.
Bill Pearce
He is a homeowner in Evanston who participated in the kitchen renovation where the letter was found.
The details
The homeowners accessed the concealed letter while removing a built-in structure near a butler's pantry to perform plumbing work. An Instagram follower assisted the couple by identifying the Swedish language and translating the content of the letter, which was written by a mother to her daughter named Else.
Timeline
1899: The house was originally built in Evanston.
1914: The letter was written.
January 2022: The current owners purchased the property.
Culture Shift
The discovery illustrates a growing interest in the historical preservation movement in Evanston, where residents increasingly seek to uncover the heritage of aging properties. This reflects a broader societal shift toward documenting and valuing the personal histories embedded within residential architecture.
The finding serves as a reminder for local homeowners to remain observant when performing demolition or renovations in historic properties. This practical experience encourages residents to document and preserve any historical items they may uncover during their own home improvement projects.
The takeaway
Homeowners who uncover unexpected artifacts during renovations should document the items and consider their historical significance. Framing and returning such items to the wall can be a meaningful way to honor the legacy of a property.
Further reading
For more on local property updates, see the Evanston Home Renovation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
