Do you love historical homes and would like to hear their stories? “If Homes These Could Talk” is an annual event in partnership with the Astor Neighborhood Association (ANA) and the Brown County Historical Society (BCHS) to document the social and architectural history of the Astor Neighborhood. In February of 1980, the Astor Historic District officially came into being and was placed in the National Register of Historic Places. As such, it was designated as a neighborhood worthy of recognition and preservation. For our tour homeowners provide written signs and graphics to be placed in front their homes, telling stories and offering information from the recent or not-so-recent past. Some may allow us in their homes or gardens and tell us tales of past residents. This year’s guided walking tour will take place on September 15th 2018 from 10AM to 12:30PM throughout the twenty-five-block of the District. The Tour will start at Union Congregational Church. During the Civil War era, the church was, at one point, on the "Underground Railroad", which assisted escaped slaves in gaining their freedom. From there you will be divided in groups with a Tour Leader to guide you to the 15 participating homes. A Tour of Historical Hazelwood; home to the Brown County Historical Society, is also included with your ticket! Built overlooking the historic Fox River, Hazelwood was originally the home of the Morgan and Elizabeth Martin family who were a political and cultural force in the city and state for almost one hundred years. It is filled with many original furnishings, family photographs, paintings and artifacts. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1964. The walk is also a fundraiser for each of us to continue to our missions of historical preservation. Please join us, bring a friend and put on your walking shoes!
Tickets are 15.00 (plus handling) and are on sale now on the Brown County Historical Society website: http://www.browncohistoricalsoc.org/
See you in September!
