Every spring, some of the Chicago area’s finest homes open their doors and graciously welcome the public in hopes of raising money for a favorite cause.
If you’ve ever wanted to take a peek inside some of the area’s prime properties, here’s your chance. Following is the Tribune’s annual roundup of house walks for 1994.
May
– Evanston Historical Society’s 19th Annual Mother’s Day House Walk. Six turn-of-the-century style houses located in the historic lakefront district will be featured. A reception follows the tour. Hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $22. Call: 708-475-3410.
– “Entertaining at Home,” a house walk sponsored by the Burr Ridge and Hinsdale junior chapters of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, will be Thursday. Proceeds will help fund a bilingual pediatrician at the Halsted Street Clinic. Each of the four homes celebrate the art of entertaining, using themes created by area retailers, caterers and florists. Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call: 708-325-8804.
– The Latin School of Chicago’s House Walk will be Saturday. The walk includes four distinctive homes in the Lincoln Park area. Hours: 10 a.m. to noon. Admission: $30. Call: 312-573-4698.
– Elgin’s Image Advisory Commission will sponsor an “Image Bus Tour” Saturday. Beginning at the Lords Park Pavilion, the tour will proceed through the Historic District with stops at the Bowes Retirement Home and the Fire Barn No. 5. Hours: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Admission: Free, but space is limited. Call: 708-931-5592 or 708-931-5590 for reservations.
– Elgin’s Gifford Park Association will be sponsoring a “Mini Historic House Tour” May 15. The walking tour will feature the history of homes on the Spring/Douglas Corridor (Elgin’s next proposed historic district), restorations in progress and open houses at historic homes for sale. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: Free. Call: 708-742-3750.
– Beverly Area Planning Association 24th Annual Home Tour on May 15 features five homes in one of Chicago’s oldest historic districts. Self-driven and guided bus tours leave the Beverly Art Center, 2153 W. 111th St. Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., self-driven tour to 4 p.m. Admission: $15 in advance or $20 at the door at the 103rd Street train station. Call: 312-233-3100. Special tour for the hearing-impaired by reservation.
– Chicago City Day School’s Annual House Tour, featuring six Gold Coast homes, will be May 15. Begin the walk with a wine reception at the Racquet Club, 1365 N. Dearborn St., and enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres at each stop. Hours: 2 to 6 p.m. Admission: $75. Call: 312-327-0900.
– The Wheaton History Center’s 14th Annual Heritage Tour of Homes runs May 16. The tour of five architecturally significant homes includes optional meals and historical exhibits at the center. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission: $12 in advance or $15 at the door (plus an additional $7.50 per meal). Call: 708-682-9472.
– The Flossmoor Service League hosts its 37th annual Suburban Stroll May 18. Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: $20. Call: 708-799-2926.
– The Winnetka Women’s Club House Walk on May 19 will feature six homes, including a French Normandy and a southern Colonial. A $20 lunch at The Winnetka Grill, 64 Green Bay Rd., is optional. Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Call: 708-446-1830.
– The Wauwatosa, Wis., Historical Society will host its 2nd tour of Prairie and Craftsman homes May 21, showcasing six homes displaying the influence of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and some of his contemporaries. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Call: 414-774-8672.
– Rockford Children’s Home and Aid Society Kitchen Walk will be May 21. Begin the walk with a seminar on new trends in kitchen design from 9 to 10 a.m. at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Auditorium, 1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $10 in advance at the Children’s Home and Aid Society of Illinois office, 730 N. Main St., Rockford, or $12 on May 21 at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Auditorium. Call: 815-962-1043.
– The Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside House Walk runs May 22. Titled “through Porches & Portals,” it features six homes and one church. Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Admission: $18 at the Historic Train Station, 1 Burlington St., Riverside. Call: 708-447-6922.
June
– Galena/Jo Daviess County Historical Society’s 27th Annual June Tour of Galena Homes will be June 11 and 12. The tour includes three historic homes, the Old Banking House, the Mars Avenue Guest House, Linmar Gardens and the 1858 Daniel A. Barrows House. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $10, children younger than 10 free. Tickets may be purchased on tour weekend from the Historical Society, 211 S. Bench St., Galena. Call: 815-777-9129.
– The 15th Annual Austin Village House Tour on June 18 features seven architecturally significant homes in this revitalized city neighborhood. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $10 in advance by sending a check and self-addressed, stamped envelope to Austin Schock Neighborhood Association, 5804 W. Midway Park, Chicago, Ill., 60644, or $12 at the door. Call 312-261-2233.
September
– Logan Square Boulevard’s 13th Annual Historic District House Walk is set for Sept. 10. The tour includes eight residences, several churches and selected gardens. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $8 and $6 for seniors in advance, $10 or $8 for seniors at the door. Tickets are available at Logan Square Preservation, 3024 W. Logan Blvd. Orders received after Sept. 1 will be held for pickup at the starting point, 3024 W. Logan Blvd. Call: 312-252-4859.
– Gifford Park Association’s 13th Annual Elgin Historic House Tour will be Sept. 11. Featuring homes in the Elgin Historic District, the tour begins at Washington Schools, 819 W. Chicago Ave. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Call: 708-742-3750.
– “Celebrating the Seasons: House Walk and Luncheon,” sponsored by United Methodist Women of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church of St. Charles, will be Sept. 17. Five homes, including a log cabin and a Williamsburg Colonial, will be decorated for the seasons of the year. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $20 includes lunch. Call: 708-584-6680.
– Harrison Park Neighborhood Association’s 8th Annual Hammond Historic House Tour will be Sept. 17 and features seven homes and related festivities. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Call: 219-931-2993.
– The Irving Park Historical Society will host its 9th Annual House Walk on Sept. 17. Visit six homes, ranging in style from Victorian to Chicago bungalow, and several gardens. An arts and crafts fair will highlight the work of local artisans. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $7 in advance by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Sharon Edwards, 4142 N. Kedvale Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60641, or $9 at the door at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 3850 N. Tripp Ave. Call: 312-736-2143 evenings or weekends.
– Blue Island Historical Society’s House Walk on Sept. 18 features five homes, entertainment and refreshments. Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Admission: $8 in advance (available two weeks before the event at the Blue Island Chamber of Commerce, 13122 Western Ave.) or $10 at the door. Call: 708-371-8546.
– The Service League of Crystal Lake presents its annual fall house walk, “Celebrations,” Sept. 30. Tour four homes, each with a different celebration theme, and visit an artisans fair. Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Admission: $12 in advance or $15 at the door and $10 for senior citizens. Call: 815-459-0074.
