Think Scandal, School, Dairy, Spy House
Sept. 13 Home Tour Moves Outside – And Online
By Jennifer Mathes
Park Hill Home Tour
The 42nd Annual Park Hill Home Tour & Street Fair is Sunday, Sept. 13. This year’s approach is a decided departure from that of the past.
First, the tour will be a walking tour of roughly 30 houses – both contemporary and historic. The historic homes will have some local significance or fun fact – think scandal, murder, dairy, first home built, spy house, etc. The tours are of exteriors only – people won’t be walking through homes, but gawking from outside.
Park Hill’s great Denver tradition began in 1978 to showcase the rich history and diverse architecture of the neighborhood. Over the years, the Home Tour has evolved into an important fundraiser for Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., attracting hundreds of people to tour the interiors of some of Park Hill’s most interesting, beautiful, unique and exclusive homes. Proceeds are used to help fund many programs that are offered by our Registered Neighborhood Organization, including its food programs, educational and sustainability programs, and even the newspaper you are reading right now.
The day of the Home Tour is also when the Street Fair happens – and it’s usually a time for neighbors and vendors and musicians and performers to get together for a daylong block party and sustainability event.
Not surprisingly, the pandemic and need for public health and safety has changed the routine up this year. In addition to the walking tour, the daylong street fair will be a virtual event – meaning you’ll be able to go online and check out an online marketplace that showcases local artisans and highlights vendors who would otherwise have had booths set up.
Home Tour tickets are $25, which gets you a map of all featured homes (which you can check out Sept. 13 or at your leisure). This year, organizers are raising additional funds for GPHC with a custom commemorative coloring book and commemorative calendar featuring past tour homes that were hand-drawn by Park Hill architect Marc Applebaum. The cost of the coloring book and calendar is $30; donations of $50 or more covers the tour, calendar and coloring book.
For details and to purchase tickets, check the Home Tour and Street Fair website at parkhillhometour.org/2020-event. In addition, “like” the Home Tour’s Facebook page, at facebook.com/parkhillhometour for updates.
Finally, The Sustainability Zone this year is moving to the GPHC office, at 2823 Fairfax Ave. Specifically, that day people can safely and responsibly drop off their old electronics for recycling. Check the website above for details.
See you Sept. 13!