On Saturday, December 1, 2018, homeowners in Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood open their homes to guests. The Norwood Park Historical Society presents its annual Holiday House Tour, a self-guided tour held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit this non-profit organization.

The tour is sponsored by the Norwood Park Historical Society and supported by many local businesses. Advance tickets are available till Nov. 17, 2018. The cost is $20 for the Holiday House Tour, or $25 for the Holiday House Tour and lunch at the Holly Daze Café. Groups of 10 receive a 10% discount when buying tickets by Nov. 17. Use the code HOLLYDAZE for this discount. This is only applicable for groups of 10.

Starting Nov. 18, cost is $30 for the Holiday House Tour, or $35 for the Holiday House Tour and lunch at the Holly Daze Café.

Tickets may be purchased online (fees apply), at Victoria’s Craft Boutique (by cash, check, or credit card), or at the door on Dec. 1 by cash, check, or credit card.

The tour begins at the Norwood Park Senior Center, 5801 N. Natoma, Chicago IL 60631. The houses are selected to represent a cross-section of the neighborhood’s different architecture. Homes range from those built in the late 1800s to the 1900s, and showcase the many ways the homeowners have blended the past and present in their historic homes. There are 6 homes on the tour. Guests can walk, drive, or take the shuttle to each of the homes. The 6th home is the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, which will be hosting Victoria’s Holiday Craft Boutique and Holly Daze Café.

An historic presentation is shown at the Norwood Park Senior Center prior to the tour, documenting the changes the Norwood Park neighborhood has seen over the past years. Visitors may ask questions of local historians, and pick up their tour book, which includes a map of the tour route.

The Norwood Park Historical Society, a not-for-profit organization, owns and is headquartered in the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, the oldest surviving house in Chicago (built in 1833). The Society works with the community to preserve its rich history and architectural integrity and to make the dreams and experiences of our predecessors come to life. Visits are available on Saturdays, from noon to 4 p.m., or by appointment.

Interested in more information? Check out The Norwood Park Historical Society webpage or The Holiday House Tour webpage