By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
A popular tour of historic homes around St. Joseph will be back this weekend following a two-year hiatus.
Owner of the Shakespeare Chateau Iosbel McGowan says the tour has been held for five years, but was on hold over the last two during the coronavirus pandemic
"We are so happy to be back again and I think the entire community has responded just the same, just so happy to be able to do this again," McGowan tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.
McGowan says this event is a very important one
"Every time we do this tour, we bring in interest from really all around the region, even all around the country, people come into St. Joseph to see the beautiful, historic architecture that we enjoy every day," McGowan says.
McGowan says this event draws in people from all over the region, even some that might have historic homes themselves.
"They are interested in doing some networking, talking about techniques, and contractors, and that sort of thing, so all of that takes place on tour day," McGowan explains. "Of course, we have a number of volunteers that dress up in period costume as well, and people also love to see that."
The event will be held from 10am to 5pm on Sunday, beginning at the Chateau. As part of this year's tour seven homes will be open to view, as well as the River Bluff Brewing company, which was once the home of one of the first Ford dealerships.
Co-founder of the homes tour Lisa Rock says there is so much history in St. Joseph.
"So, a lot of people are going to get to learn the history of all these homes that range from stories about Jesse James, to the Ford, to architecture, just all kinds of stuff that we're going to be sharing this weekend," Rock explains.
People will be in each home during the tour, as well as at the brewery, to tell people stories about what each building was and its historical significance.
Tickets are going quickly for the tour as it is returning after a two-year hiatus. You can contact Isobel McGown at the Shakespeare Chateau for more information.
