Pleasant Home, historically known as the John Farson House, derives its common name from its location, at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Home Avenue in Oak Park. Herbert S. Mills owned
The Mills Novelty Company, the maker of the Mills Violano-Virtuoso, an electric self-playing violin and piano mechanism. In 2009 a fully restored Mills Violano was installed at Pleasant Home by the Mills Novelty Company and Haughawout Music Company and is currently on display. The Pleasant Home was situated on a larger
lot, which was converted to a
park now called Mills Park. Situated on the lot were also a
greenhouse and a
coach house where
horse carriages and horses were originally kept, and later automobiles. The coach house and greenhouse have since been demolished due to deterioration from insufficient upkeep. Restoration began on the house in 1966 with a
US$26,000 rewiring project. In 1970, at a cost of more than $40,000, a number of tasks were completed in the restoration process. On the home's exterior, the
fascia and
soffit were rebuilt as needed and the roof was repaired as well. Also on the exterior, the wood surfaces were repainted. The repairs were conducted in a manner consistent with the original design and construction of the building. ==Significance==