PENNINGTON — As part of Pennington’s 125th anniversary celebration this year, the Hopewell Valley Historical Society is sponsoring a historic house tour Saturday, Oct. 3.
The tour, which goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., features some of a diverse group of some of Pennington’s most historically and architecturally significant homes.
The architectural diversity of houses on the tour is represented by eight houses dating from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. More than a half dozen architectural styles will be seen, including the Federal style, most common in early Pennington, and later styles such as Greek Revival, Italianate, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Queen Ann, Shingle and American Four Square.
Tour-goers also can visit the recently restored Gothic Revival alumni house at the Pennington School and view the neoclassical Sun National Bank building.
The interior of tour homes feature original detailing and materials with many of the homes having modern additions and remodeled kitchens, which showcase contemporary tastes.
Of particular historical interest are homes built by two of Pennington’s earliest and most prominent developers, Col. John Kunkel and William Howe, around the turn of the 20th century.
Col. Kunkel initiated the first major expansion of Pennington to its northeast and William Howe, founder of Pennington’s most well-known business and former mayor, developed most of the southern part of the borough.
“Pennington’s historic house tour will be a wonderful event in helping to celebrate Pennington’s 125h anniversary,” said Kit Chandler, co-chair of Pennington’s Anniversary Committee.
House tour Coordinator Tom Ogren said, “We look forward to a great turnout given a rare opportunity for borough residents to see the inside of locally admired historic homes and for house tour-goers from throughout the area to visit one of a kind historic borough houses.”
According to Weed Tucker, co-chairman of Pennington’s Anniversary Committee, “The Hopewell Valley Historical Society deserves a lot of credit for organizing the historic house tour. In addition to the house tour, the society has done much through the years to highlight Pennington’s history through its quarterly newsletter and its hosting of programs of interest to the general public.”
According to Mr. Ogren, “The tour would not be possible without the help of nearly 100 volunteers and, of course, the cooperation of our gracious homeowners. This included about a dozen volunteers, who spent several months planning the event. For the day of the tour, approximately 75 volunteer docents will be stationed in houses, but, fortunately, Callaway-Henderson, Gloria Nilson and Weidel real estate agencies under the direction of volunteer coordinator Winn Thompson will be supplying most of those docents.”
Other volunteers making contributions, Mr. Ogren said, include local historian David Blackwell, who wrote the house descriptions and history for the house tour booklet and three local residents who donated pen-and-ink drawings of houses.
“Wonderful drawings of several homes were contributed by Hopewell township artists Linda Bradshaw and Susan Ewart and by Pennington architect Betsy Ackerman,” Mr. Ogren added.
Tickets for the tour can be purchased online prior to the tour at the society website, www.hopewellvalleyhistory.org, or at one of two stores in Pennington — The Front Porch at 24 S. Main St. or the Twirl Toy Shop at 10 N. Main St.
Tickets also may be purchased at Gloria Nilson Real Estate in the Windsor Crossing Shopping Center on Denow Road. Tickets purchased in advance are $20.
The day of the tour, house tour booklets, which will serve as tickets, can be purchased for $25 at either the Sun National Bank at East Delaware Avenue and North Main Street or at the Pennington School alumni house on West Delaware Avenue.
Advance ticket purchasers also will need to check in at either location for their house tour booklet before going on tour.
“We appreciated the contribution of The Pennington School, Sun National Bank, The Front Porch, the Twirl Toy Shop and Gloria Nilson Real Estate in helping to make the house tour a success,” Mr. Ogren said.
Tour-goers are encouraged to walk between houses on tour, however, a loop shuttle bus service will be provided with stops along the tour route. Parking for tour check-in is available at The Pennington School and Pennington Borough Hall.
