“Explore Historic Homes in Forest Park Heights at Springfield Preservation Trust Tour”

History buffs will be able to step back inside homes in one of the largest historic districts in the state.

The Historic Homes and Social Tour, organized by the Springfield Preservation Trust, will return on Sunday, June 25. The tour, which was held annually before the pandemic, will highlight the Forest Park Heights Historic District and allow people to explore five houses and two churches, including Trinity United Methodist Church.

Erica Swallow, president of the trust, said this is one of the top three annual fundraising events. It typically draws between 300 and 400 people, a number it hopes to hit this year.

Proceeds will support the trust’s mission to preserve and protect properties of architectural, historical, educational or cultural significance. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. To purchase a ticket, visit https://springfieldpreservation.eventbrite.com/.

Some homeowners within the neighborhood, such as Harry Seymour, intend to open their doors to the public to allow them to explore. Seymour said his home, at 68 Washington Road, was built in 1897 and has adjacent Jeffersonian-style architecture.

“The kitchen is unique and has alternating white, yellow and black tiles in a rooster theme, with other nice features such as two ovens, two dishwashers and two sinks,” Seymour said. “Often we have 25 to 40 people in our house. We enjoy having people here, so we are looking forward to the tour.”

This is the first time the non-profit foundation has organized the event since 2019. The annual tour has been canceled in 2020, 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On June 25, the tour will begin at 1 pm and run until 4 pm Guests are free to explore any house listed in the tour brochure for as long as they like.

Trinity Church, one of the featured locations, was completed in 1929 and built in a Gothic Revival style, according to the Sacred Spaces of New England website.

Allens and Collens, a Boston architecture firm, designed the church.

Wilbur Herbert Burnham of Boston (1887-1974) is responsible for the design of the stained glass windows inside the church. His rose window is an interpretation of Psalm 150, which seeks to motivate people to rejoice in God and symbolizes victory through Christ.

Following the tour, there will be a social gathering from 4 pm to 6 pm at 73 Washington Road, where appetizers and beverages will be served and music will be played.

Translated by Damaris Pérez-Pizarro