Six historic homes featured on Mount Prospect's Housewalk

Those who have enjoyed celebrating Mount Prospect's Centennial over the past approximately 18 months won't want to miss one of its highlights - the Mount Prospect Historical Society's 30th annual Holiday Housewalk from noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.

The interiors of six private homes, built between the 1880s and 1915 (all pre-incorporation), will be featured on the tour this year. Since they will be spread around the village and not in one neighborhood, the walk will be held in the afternoon.

The homes featured this year are: 808 E. Central Road, owned by Steve and Lisa Haynes; 122 N. Emerson St., owned by Tom and Kathy Shultz; 13 S. Maple St., owned by Chris and Liz Jannusch; 218 S. Emerson St., owned by Ed and Mary Verschoor; 222 S. Emerson St., owned by Steve and Kelly Meersman; and 1702 W. Myrtle Drive, owned by Brian and Wendy Lambel.

All of the homes will be exciting to tour in their own ways, whether because of the historic flavor, lovely decorating or the renovation work that has been done, according to Jill Tumberger, Housewalk co-chairperson.

"The Housewalk is the society's largest fundraiser of the year," Tumberger said. "Its proceeds support the many educational endeavors of the society and help to pay for upkeep on our museum. We urge the public to support our effort to preserve local history through enjoying the Housewalk and our other activities throughout the year."

Commentary in the homes will be provided by volunteers from local organizations, businesses, schools and the community. Local florists and homeowners will provide the decorations.

Nonrefundable tickets will be sold for $28 each through Saturday, Dec. 2, at The Huntington Bank, 50 N. Main St.; Mount Prospect State Bank, 299 W. Central Road; Busse Flowers and Gifts, 100 E. Northwest Hwy.; River Trails' Weiss Center, 1500 E. Euclid Ave.; Lions Park Recreation Center, 411 S. Maple St.; Millie's Hallmark, 1024 S. Elmhurst Road; and Dave's Specialty Foods, 105 W. Prospect Ave., and through Nov. 30 at the Dietrich Friedrichs House museum, 101 S. Maple St.

Last-minute decision-makers may also purchase tickets on the day of the walk beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the museum campus, but the cost will be $30 per person at that time.

The tour will begin at the Mount Prospect Historical Society campus, 101 S. Maple St., where refreshments will be offered, the house and school museums will be open and artwork of the featured houses displayed. Museum store items will also be sold there. Check-in and Housewalk programs, as well as the "will call" table for tickets ordered through PayPal at www.mtphist.org, will be located in Central School. For details, visit the historical society's website or call (847) 392-9006.