[Source: Amanda Myers, East Valley Tribune] -- Some of the most historic and architecturally intriguing homes will be open to the public Saturday during the Mesa Historic Home Tour, kicking off at 11 a.m. “It’s not just a major fundraiser for us,” says Lisa Anderson, president and CEO of the Mesa Historical Museum. “It’s also a chance to bring to light issues of historic preservation.”This, the sixth year of the tour, offers a look at the inside of nine homes in the West Second Street and Robson historic districts. Two of the homes, says Anderson, are 100 years old this year. Architectural styles of the homes on tour range from Territorial to bungalows to Tudor revival. Homeowners and volunteers will be available on all stops of the tour to share the rich history and style story of each home. Also included on the tour are the Sirrine House Museum, the oldest restored home in Mesa, built in 1896 by Joel E. Sirrine, 160 N. Center St. (photo above). The Antique Wedding House will also be open for viewing. Built between 1916 and 1918 -- and home to one of Mesa’s first mayors -- it is also one of the oldest homes in the city.
Visitors can start the walking tour at the Mesa Historical Museum, 2345 N. Horne, and tour the museum’s quilt exhibit while enjoying entertainment from the Territorial Brass Band and clog dancers from Mesa’s Dance Network. The tour is open until 4 p.m., and lunch is included in the $15 ticket price. Advance tickets can be purchased at the museum, the Antique Wedding House, 307 E. First St., or the Charles Golding House (now the corporate office of Pete’s Fish and Chips and one of the homes on the tour), 203 N. Macdonald. [Photo source: City of Mesa.]
