Holiday Home Tour - December 3 from 4:00 PM -9:00 PM

Start the VIP Tour by touring the Historic Benassi & Benassi building at 300 NE Perry Ave

Special VIP Tour includes appetizers, drinks and private tour of the former Boland Mortuary/Benassi Law Offices at 300 N Perry. Enjoy transportation to each house on a heated private bus for 20, without worrying about driving and finding a parking spot. You will then be transported back to your vehicle when the tour is completed!

With this year’s Holiday Home Tour, you can walk through the stunning Murray Baker estate on Moss Avenue … see a fabulously restored home on historic Glen Oak … explore a grand building at the corner of Perry and Fayette … and visit an incredible Moss Avenue residence that was recently featured on HGTV, the Pettengill-Morron and John C. Flanagan Houses, both of which are decorated with special holiday themes.

You will tour the following:

Tudor Revival on Moss Avenue (805 W. Moss Avenue)

• the homeowner, a professional interior designer who specializes in historic spaces, has taken the bold, masculine aesthetics seen in the Tudor style and modernized them with striking wallpaper, dark ceilings, and a thoughtfully curated art collection; this stunning residence was recently featured on HGTV’s Cheap Old Houses

Flemish Revival on Glen Oak Avenue (936 N.E. Glen Oak Avenue)

• the handsome home sitting high atop Glen Oak Avenue was built in 1904 for businessman Frank Lewis and features a combination of architectural styles, including Flemish and Dutch elements, Italianate details, and living and dining rooms finished in the Arts and Crafts style; the current homeowners’ favorite aspect of the property is its sweeping view of the Illinois River and valley

Murray Baker House on Moss (1222 W. Moss Avenue)

• the new owners of this historic home say that driving down the long driveway each day is like coming home to a fairy tale; built by the man reputed to have brought Caterpillar to Peoria, this Georgian Revival is well known for its ornate iron fence, limestone pathways and patios, double-height foyer, and airy solarium

Second Empire on N.E. Perry (300 N.E. Perry Avenue

• this imposing downtown building was built in 1885 for banker Andrew J. Hodges, and its mansard roof, painted trim, and porte-cochère are fine examples of the Second Empire style; inside, the building showcases a suite of grand rooms, original woodwork, soaring ceilings—and numerous pink granite fireplaces

John C. Flanagan House (942 N.E. Glen Oak Avenue)

• this year, this Peoria Historical Society property has been decorated with a “Gilded Age Christmas” theme to reflect the shimmering elegance and holiday style of that late Victorian era

Pettengill-Morron House (1212 W. Moss Avenue)

• the opulence of holidays past shines brightly with this year’s “Winter Wedding” exhibit of elegant wedding gowns and formal attire worn between the years 1866 and 1975; to echo the theme, the dining room table has been set for a private wedding reception, with Haviland china, family silver, and a three-layer wedding cake!

The Peoria Historical Society’s Holiday Home Tour is festive, casual, and enjoyable for people of all ages. Don’t miss out on this great way to kick off the holiday season! Enjoy a yuletide stroll through the history and architecture of Peoria’s past.