As part of Pennington’s 125^th Anniversary celebration, the Hopewell Valley Historical Society is sponsoring an historic house tour on Saturday, October 3. The tour, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., features a diverse group of Pennington’s most historically and architecturally significant homes.

The architectural diversity of houses on the tour is represented by eight houses dating from the late 18^th century to the early 20^th century. Over a half dozen architectural styles can be seen including the Federal style, Greek Revival, Italianate, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Queen Ann, Shingle and American Four Square. As a bonus, tour goers can also visit the recently restored Gothic Revival Alumni House at The Pennington School and view the impressive Neo-classical Sun National Bank building.

The interior tour of each home features original detailing and materials with many of the homes having modern additions and remodeled kitchens.

Of particular historical interest are homes built by two of Pennington’s earliest and most prominent developers – Col. John Kunkel and William Howe.

Col. Kunkel initiated the first major expansion of Pennington to its northeast and William Howe, founder of Pennington’s most well-known business and former mayor, developed most of the southern part of the borough.

“Pennington’s historic house tour will be a wonderful event in helping to celebrate Pennington’s 125h anniversary,” said Kit Chandler, co-chair of Pennington’s Anniversary Committee.

According to Weed Tucker, co-chair of Pennington’s Anniversary Committee, “the Hopewell Valley Historical Society deserves a lot of credit for organizing the historic house tour.”

According to house tour coordinator Tom Ogren, “the tour would not be possible without the help of nearly 100 volunteers and, of course, the cooperation of our gracious homeowners This included about a dozen volunteers,” he said, “who spent several months planning the event.”

Other volunteers making valuable contributions,” Ogren added, “included local historian David Blackwell who wrote the house descriptions and history for the house tour booklet and three local residents who donated pen and ink drawings of houses.”

Tickets for the tour can be purchased online at www.hopewellvalleyhistory.org or at one of two stores in Pennington – The Front Porch at 24 S. Main Street or the Twirl Toy Shop at 10 N. Main Street. Tickets may also be purchased at Gloria Nilson Real Estate in the Windsor Crossing Shopping Center on Denow Road. Tickets purchased in advance cost $20.

On the day of the tour, house tour booklets (which will serve as tickets) can be purchased for $25 at either the Sun National Bank at E. Delaware Avenue and N. Main Street or at The Pennington School Alumni House on W. Delaware Avenue. Advance ticket purchasers will also need to check in at either location for their house tour booklet before going on tour.

“We appreciated the contribution of The Pennington School, Sun National Bank, The Front Porch, the Twirl Toy Shop, and Gloria Nilson Real Estate in helping to make the house tour a success,” said Ogren.

While tour goers are encouraged to walk between houses, a loop shuttle bus service will also be available.

Parking for tour check-in is available at The Pennington School and Pennington Borough Hall.