Five reasons to go on Batavia house walk
Batavia MainStreet’s annual House Walk will take place Sunday, Sept. 29. Here are the five reasons we think you should go:
1. Variety
Unlike some other house walks, Batavia’s offers a variety of home styles. You’ll get to tour a 1900-era white, clapboard home with large porch; a Craftsman-style home with eclectic decor; a stone and cedar home with a cottage feel; a 1920s colonial with a river rock wood-burning fireplace; and an elegant cedar and brick home with a shake roof.
2. Decorating and remodeling ideas
According to Jan Gibson of Batavia, head of the house walk committee, “(Visitors) love going around and looking at how the homes are decorated. We don’t send in stagers. Each is very different; you can see how the home reflects the homeowner’s interests.” Visitors will see remodeled kitchens, built-in china cabinets, wainscoting, a tin ceiling, a pool and pergola, a finished basement with bar and custom entertainment center, and art and antique collections.
3. Former city hall
If you’ve never seen the former Batavia city hall at 30 S. Shumway, now’s your chance. It is an example of historic limestone architecture predominant in Batavia. The building’s interior has been completely renovated while keeping the original “bone structure” in mind. A curved stairwell, limestone walls, brick headers over arched windows and exposed ductwork give an overall urban feel to Simonetti Studios, which is housed there.
4. Fine arts and artisan market
New on this year’s house walk will be a fine arts and artisan market held along with the House Walk tea at Water Street Studios. According to the website, the artisan market offers “hip, handcrafted goods from the best and brightest independent artists, designers and artisans in the Fox River Valley.”
5. Take the bus
No sense of direction? Don’t feel like driving around? Batavia MainStreet offers a bus, which will take riders to each home. The cost is $10 in advance.
Proceeds from the house walk benefit Batavia MainStreet’s programs and efforts to revitalize downtown Batavia. For details, visit www.downtownbatavia.com/housewalk/.
If you go
What: Batavia MainStreet House Walk
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29
Where: Locations throughout Batavia
Cost: Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 the day of the event; $10 for students and volunteers. Buy tickets in person or online through Batavia MainStreet, or at Gibbys Wine Den, K. Hollis Jewelers and Sues Family Hair Co.
Bus: A door-to-door bus is available for a $10 advance fee.
Details: (630) 761-3528; <a href="http://www.downtownbatavia.com/housewalk">www.downtownbatavia.com/housewalk</a>