Wheaton House Walk showcases old and new homes

Some of Wheaton's finest structures will open their doors to hundreds of visitors Friday as part of the Center for History's annual House Walk.

The event, which is in its 30th year, will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 30 at four houses - 321 E. Union Ave., 210 W. Jefferson Ave., 1323 Irving Ave. and 1016 Wheaton Place - and at Gary Memorial United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St. Visitors can start the walk at any of the five locations. Tickets are $30.

Jane Rio, the Center for History's marketing and events director, said the event is a time-honored tradition that gives people the opportunity to tour and learn about "an eclectic mix of old and new" buildings.

The house at 1323 Irving was built in 2001, while the Queen Anne-style home at 321 E. Union dates back to the 1890s. Meanwhile, walk organizers say the Gary United Methodist Church building "is a beautiful blend of the 1930 Perpendicular Gothic construction and the 2008 addition that makes it both functional and architecturally pleasing."

"When you go through each structure, there's tour guides telling you information about the house," Rio said. "Sometimes, it's about an unusual decor or design. Other times, they give the history about the house. It just depends on which house you are looking at."

Something all the structures have in common is that they are interesting to visit.

"It's great fun to walk through and see what people have done to make their homes work for themselves and their families," Rio said. "A lot of times, we get (walk participants) who are planning to remodel their own homes and are looking for designs and ideas."

Despite the name of the event, Rio said participants likely will need to drive to each location.

"You could walk, but it would be a hike," she said.

Between tours, visitors can stop by the Center for History museum, 315 W. Front St., for complimentary coffee and treats as well as free exhibit tours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

In conjunction with the walk, DeDe Jaderholm of Diane Jaderholm Design will have a jewelry sale from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at her studio at 805 N. Wheaton Ave. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the handcrafted jewelry will be donated to the Center for History, which preserves and promotes local history.

For information, call (630) 871-6601 or visit wheatonhistory.org.