Alton Historic House Tour

Following is an excerpt from an article in the Alton Telegraph about the upcoming Historic House Tour. We will have our doors open as we are one of the stops on the self guided tour. We hope to see you there.

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Lingering Lincoln memories part of annual, popular tour

Landmarks inviting public to 10 spots this Sunday
October 6, 2008 - 12:06PM
By VICKI BENNINGTON
ALTON - Highlighting Alton's rich history, the Alton Area Landmarks Association Historic House Tour has drawn people again and again for 36 years.

The tour continues to draw crowds, spark interest and inspire owners who are willing and able to share their home or building for an afternoon, filling in information on local history and former residents, while inspiring decorating and restoration ideas.

The tour also highlights the variety of the area's architecture and beauty, says Terry Sharp, president of the Alton Area Landmarks Association and chairman of the house tour.

"I think it's pretty impressive that the tour has been going strong for so long," Sharp said. "We always try to offer a variety of stops and very seldom duplicate unless there have been improvements or changes in the structure, or if it has been several years since a site was on the tour."

This year's Landmarks tour has 10 stops, including commercial structures, a church, several residences and the historical square where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas went head to head 150 years ago.

"It's a real variety; we have large homes, smaller homes, and the commercial structures are representative of some of the renovations going on in the city," Sharp said.
The stops will be staffed with several hosts and hostesses who volunteer their time to the tour.

"There are so many people who come to town and are thinking of moving to Alton, or who might be inspired to buy a home here as they become more acquainted with the area," Sharp said. "The tour allows people to see more of what Alton really has to offer."

Alton Area Landmarks Association is dedicated to preserving the historical structures of Alton.

The tour is self-guided and will run from noon to 6 p.m., Sunday. Visitors can view sites in any order. Tickets are $12 each and are on sale at the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau at 200 Piasa St. Tickets on the day of the tour can be purchased at Alton Area Landmarks Association in the Hart House, 524 Belle St., and at the corner of Fourth and Henry streets. For more information call Terry Sharp at (618) 463-5761.

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The rest of the article can be viewed here:
Lingering Lincoln memories part of annual, popular tour

We hope to see you there!