Yesterday (Saturday, September 13th), the urge to get a peak inside of some of Elgin’s finest old historic homes was just too great to keep people away from the annual Gifford Park Association’s Housewalk. Although I don’t have any statistics, the sight of crowds of people standing under umbrellas in pouring rain waiting for their turn to get inside any one of the homes on the housewalk, leaves me believing that this years event must have been a huge success. I don’t think the rain kept anybody away.
It’s hard to pick a favorite with all the houses being lovingly and beautifully restored examples of their period’s architecture and decor. It’s going to be awhile before I appreciate my own humble abode after seeing some of these beauties.
This is my second housewalk. My first was Christmas 2007 where my sister and I walked the entire route in a snowstorm (along with everyone else). We so looked forward to this Septembers event because one can usually count on a beautiful, coolish, dry day in September but not this year. The rain never let up and came down in buckets all day long.
The volunteers and organizers of the event did a beautiful job ushering people in and keeping the floors of the homes of the brave souls who opened up these beauties to the drenched public, dry and clean. In most of the homes, visitors deposited umbrellas at the front door while volunteers ran the soaked articles around to meet their owners at the back exit, the volunteer him or herself getting drenched in the act.
It was an exercise in coordination that was a sight to behold.
Everyone involved did a first class job. This is a first class event. We had a wonderful time.
The following things are what I remember the most.
A 1917 prairie style home with so many beautiful rooms that even the cat had it’s own room with antique furnishings.
A 1874 Gothic Revival who’s ornate “wallpaper” turned out to be the owners artwork, painstakingly hand stenciled and multiple layers of molding with high gloss and gilded finish.
A huge picture window over looking the Fox River.
An adorable kitchen with lavender accents.
A powder room with the cutest, tiniest antique sink.
A staircase who’s one original piece was indistinguishable from the custom made replica that helped complete the restoration.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you have never been on one of these house walks….please don’t miss the next one.
And thank you to the homeowners who risked opening their homes to us on such a rainy day and for taking such good care of these fine examples of Elgin’s history.
Filed under: Elgin Events, Favorite Houses | Tagged: elgin illinois, gifford park association house walk, northeast neighborhood elgin il
