From a Richardsonian Romanesque townhouse — the only one in Charlestown — to an elegant brick Federal that dates from the early 1800s, the 2014 Charlestown Historic House Tour is a rare chance to explore private houses and public spaces in Boston’s oldest neighborhood.
The tour, sponsored by the Charlestown Preservation Society, is on Saturday, September 20 from 11 am to 4 pm. Included are seven beautifully restored houses plus many of the town’s best-loved public spaces. New this year is a short talk on Charlestown’s history and architectural heritage by noted local architect William Lamb.
The house tour starts at Memorial Hall at 14 Green Street, where visitors can buy tickets and pick up tour booklets. It ends with a Lemonade Reception at Memorial Hall from 4 to 5 pm. There’s also a 50-50 raffle to support preservation in Charlestown. Hammond Residential Real Estate is the official tour sponsor, with many thanks from Charlestown Preservation Society.
Visitors can travel the tour on foot or on a special free shuttle van. The tour is held rain or shine, and tour-goers will be asked to remove their shoes while visiting the houses.
Proceeds help fund initiatives to preserve Charlestown’s architectural heritage and quality of life, including major preservation projects like the recent restoration of the Civil-War era Soldiers and Sailors Monument, installation of interpretive signage in the Charlestown Training Field, and a Cultural Resource Plan that will guide the 2015 restoration of the historic park.
Proceeds also support the upkeep of Preservation Park near Thompson Triangle, the Charlestown Design Review Committee, an historic marker program, and a popular CPS guide to Charlestown’s history and architecture.
Tickets are available in advance at $23 for CPS members and $28 for non-members. On tour day
are $28 for CPS members and $33 for non-members. Tour-goers who join CPS or renew a membership qualify for member pricing.
Tickets can be bought online at www.charlestownpreservation.org starting August 1. After August 15 they can also be purchased at Charlestown florists, retailers and real estate offices. To find out more about the CPS Historic House Tour, check out www.charlestownpreservation.org, call 617-241-7500 or e-mail
[email protected].