There’s a good chance many Montgomery County homeowners don’t know much about the very roofs over their heads. An upcoming presentation — “Reading Your House, Researching Your Home” — can answer residents’ questions about their domestic surroundings.

The Dec. 7 discovery event is an effort of the Research Library & Archives of the Historical Society of Montgomery County. It is designed to help area deed-holders discover:

• Their home’s construction date
• Its original appearance
• Its builder
• Its various owners were over time
• How current owners can preserve it

The session comprises an introduction to the organization’s onsite tools that can lead to a real estate discovery about attendees’ properties.

Historical Society Executive Director Barry Rauhauser will cover introductory topics on historic architecture that include:

• Formal and vernacular architecture
• Regional differences in house types (pre-1850)
• Basic styles and construction techniques from 1700–1920
• A framework through which to view other houses throughout Montgomery County
• Directions on how to measure and draw a house

The presentation will be a document-based journey through time, borne by examination of construction records, occupancy reports, deeds, probate records, mechanics’ liens, maps, and census/tax records. It will also advise homeowners about issues surrounding the restoration and preservation of historic architecture.

“Reading Your House, Researching Your Home” is Dec. 7 at the Historical Society of Montgomery County, 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown. Its fee is $30 (with a $10 discount to society members), and reservations — made by phone at 610.272.0297 — are required, as space is limited.