Burnham, Anita Willets, Log House
Also known as: Schmidt-Burnham Log House
Why it's listed
Built around 1836 from square-hewn logs, this two-story house in Winnetka, Illinois, later became the home and studio of artist, writer and lecturer Anita Willets Burnham. The Burnhams moved it in 1917 and added a one-and-a-half story clapboard lean-to containing a two-story studio, galley kitchen and bedrooms. Inside, the log walls remain exposed and whitewashed, while the addition features board-and-batten walls, colorful painting, a ceiling painted with stars and a crescent moon, and a double Arts and Crafts fireplace. Built-in cupboards and bookshelves appear throughout. Anita lived in the house for over four decades, and the nomination ties its design and her way of life to the Arts and Crafts movement's emphasis on simplicity, handcraft and harmony with nature. In 2003 the house was moved again, to Crow Island Woods, a 17-acre park preserve, because its survival depended on it. The site's meadow, marsh and woodland resemble its earlier setting, and the building now reflects its c.1917 appearance.
Significance in brief: The house was the long-time home and studio of Winnetka artist, writer and lecturer Anita Willets Burnham. Its c.1917 addition and interiors reflect Arts and Crafts principles that shaped the Burnhams' lifestyle. The log house also survives as a rare early log dwelling in the area. The text provided is truncated, so the full argument for the criteria is not visible.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 04001297, listed June 2, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1140 Willow Rd., Winnetka |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | June 2, 2005 |
| Reference number | 04001297 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Other: log house; Other: Arts and Crafts |
| Areas of significance | Art, Literature |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moved in 2003 to save it from loss; recently acquired by the Winnetka Historical Society. Current function is listed as work in progress. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.10050, -87.74841 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 04001297.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15181191
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.