The Greendale Historical Society is inviting the public to stroll and enjoy the past and present in historic Greendale on September 13 during the first “Tour of Original Homes.”

“Visitors to Greendale often express their desire to see the inside of a Greendale ‘original’ home,“ said event organizer Barbara Krawczyk. “For the first time in 70 years, nine of these historic homes will be open to the public and The Greendale Historical Society is proud to be able to offer this opportunity. We believe the tour is going to be a great, fun event for visitors and the community.”

Greendale, which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2008, is one of the nation’s three historic Greenbelt communities and is recognized by the Wisconsin and National Registers of Historic Places.

Greendale “original” homes are known for their iconic cinderblock construction and wooden beamed ceilings. This inagural event will give the public the first chance to tour the inside of these unique homes since they were built in 1938.

“We are very excited about this first of its kind event in Greendale,” says Krawczyk. “This is a great chance to get an inside look at some of Greendale’s finest ‘original’ homes and we are very grateful that homeowners are opening their homes to the public.”

The walking tour will also allow visitors to tour the historic village which was built on the "garden city" model, in which housing was situated within easy walking access of gardens, employment, and a town center.

Greendale was conceived as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal in the wake of the Great Depression to demonstrate a new kind of suburban community, combining both city and country life. 2008 also marks the 75th anniversary of Roosevelt’s New Deal.

Advance tickets for tour are $15. To purchase tickets, click here. Or, write to The Greendale Historical Society, 5650 Parking Street, Greendale, WI 53129.

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