advertisement

Mount Prospect Historical Society Housewalk returns

After a one-year COVID-19 imposed hiatus, the Mount Prospect Historical Society's annual Holiday Housewalk will return Friday, Dec. 3, in the neighborhood immediately north and slightly northwest of St. Raymond Catholic Church - originally known as "Colonial Manor."

The 33rd annual walk will begin in the St. Raymond Parish Ministry Center on the northwest corner of its block (at the corner of I-Oka and Milburn avenues) and will run from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Advance tickets are $28.

A Cape Cod built in 1931 will be featured on the Mount Prospect Historical Society's Holiday Housewalk. Courtesy of Mount Prospect Historical Society

The interiors of five private homes, built between 1929 and 2019, will be featured on the tour this year. Two additional homes, built in 1929 and 1946, respectively, will be featured from the outside.

The homes that will have their interiors featured are: 218 S. I-Oka Ave., owned by Rob and Stephanie Berman; 204 S. I-Oka Ave., owned by Jamie and Debbie McGough; 16 S. I-Oka Ave., owned by Ray and Jill Doerner; 122 S. Elmhurst Ave., owned by Chris and Amanda Manna; and 112 S. Wa-Pella Ave., owned by Shawn and Nicole Stoltz.

In addition, the exteriors of 101 S. Wa-Pella Ave., owned by John and Julie Johnson, and 216 S. Hi-Lusi Ave., owned by Tyra and Tim Jambois, will also be featured.

A 1929 English manor style home will be featured on the Mount Prospect Historical Society's Holiday Housewalk. Courtesy of Mount Prospect Historical Society

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 JP Karlov, housewalk co-chairperson.

It should also be noted that COVID-19 restrictions will be in place. Tour-goers will be expected to wear masks inside homes and the walk's headquarters - volunteers will do the same.

This walking tour will be accented by beautifully-lit luminarias. Parking will be available along neighborhood streets.

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. This year's featured florists are Busse Flowers and Gifts of Rolling Meadows, The Purple Rose of Mount Prospect, Pesche's Flowers and 7 Red Roses Floral Design Studio of Des Plaines and The Flower Studio of Rolling Meadows.

This 2001 Arts and Crafts style home will be featured on the Mount Prospect Historical Society's Holiday Housewalk. Courtesy of Mount Prospect Historical Society

Lurvey's of Des Plaines will provide outdoor fresh décor for one home.

Nonrefundable tickets will be sold for $28 each through Dec. 2 at Busey Bank, 299 W. Central Road; River Trails' Weiss Center, 1500 E. Euclid Ave.; RecPlex, 420 Dempster St.; the Central Community Center, 1000 W. Central Road; Millie's Hallmark, 1024 S. Elmhurst Road; LePeep, 10 E. Northwest Hwy.; and the Dietrich Friedrichs House museum, 101 S. Maple St.

Tickets are also available through PayPal at www.mtphist.org. Those tickets can be picked up at a "will-call" desk at the St. Raymond Church headquarters during the walk.

This Georgian home from 1946 will be featured on the Mount Prospect Historical Society's Holiday Housewalk. Courtesy of Mount Prospect Historical Society

Tickets also may be purchased on the day of the walk beginning at 3 p.m. at the St. Raymond's headquarters, but the cost will be $30 per person at that time.

"The housewalk is the society's largest fundraiser of the year," Karlov 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."

For information, call the society at (847) 392-9006 or visit www.mtphist.org.

This year's walk is sponsored by Busse Automotive, Novak and Parker appliances and Mrs. P & Me.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.