If you are a fan of The Prairie School, Arts & Crafts Architecture, or if you just love old homes, this is an event you can't miss. On June 21st, Pleasant Home Foundation is sponsoring a tour of Historic Hutchinson Street in Chicago. 
For those of you that are unfamiliar with the street, it stretches just a few short blocks off of Lake Shore Drive and is dotted with some of the finest homes in Chicago. They were built around the turn of the century and many were designed by renowned Prairie School Architect George Washington Maher.
These homes feature impressive monumental exteriors with unique Prairie Style detailing characteristic of Maher's work. Their interiors are filled with original carved woodwork, art glass, tile and metal work, designed with harmonizing motifs derived from nature like poppies, thistles, and wisteria.
It has been about 8 years since these homes were last open to the public so this is a rare occurrence and a unique opportunity. There are currently 6 homes scheduled to be open and there may be more. In addition to the interior tours (one of them given by yours truly), the event also features a guided walking tour of the entire street, a Chicago Landmark District, by some of the most knowledgeable architects and architectural historians in the area.
This is the primary fundraiser this year for Pleasant Home Foundation, whose mission is to educate about Maher and restore Historic Pleasant Home, a National Landmark designed by the architect and located in Oak Park, Illinois. Tours will be scheduled at one of 2 times: 10:00am or 1:00pm. Tickets are $50.00 and $40.00 for Pleasant Home Foundation Members. Space is limited and this event will most likely sell out. Call Pleasant Home to make reservations by phone: (708) 383 2654. They will also soon be uploading a printable PDF to their website for registration.
The Foundation can use your support and you will not be disappointed by the homes on the tour.
5 comments:
Ooh, wish I could check this out, but I'll be out of town. I've been checking out some Maher homes while riding my bike in the Beverly neighborhood.
It has the potential for a substantial Prairie School home tour, between FLW, Maher, Griffing and others. If you ever want to check it out, see the Ridge Historical Society web site and bapa.org and there's material for a DIY tour.
I wish I could go..too far for me..but they look fantastic! I love home tours
Mmmm... wiping drool up. Too bad it's a 16 hour drive!
Looks like fun! Thanks for posting some photos for us non-locals.
Wow - so beautiful. Thank you for the eye candy~
I really miss Chicago (Mr. Bungalow Insanity and I went to school at I.I.T. - he for engineering and architecture for me.) My mother-in-law still lives in Illinois and is always begging us to move back. It's definitely tempting at times. Oh how I would love to live in Oak Park! :-)
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