House Tour returns in September

BIRMINGHAM — For the 34th year, The Community House Foundation has announced its annual Birmingham House Tour. The community is invited to register for the event that will take place 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14.

The Birmingham House Tour is an event hosted by The Community House Foundation that allows the public to explore the unique houses within the Birmingham community. Hall & Hunter Realtors is the presenting sponsor of the event.

For the recruitment process, a committee of volunteers set out to find a series of interesting houses to feature in the tour. This year, seven houses were chosen to be a part of the tour. For privacy reasons, organizers of the event do not give out the addresses of the participating homes before the event.

“What we try to do is find homes that are architecturally different,” Kathie Ninneman, The Community House’s assistant vice president, said. “We don’t often have them all the same. We have older homes, newer homes, smaller homes and larger homes, all with a variety of architectural details.”

While some prefer learning about preserved or restored historical houses, others are interested in seeing the latest in modern architectural and interior design. Both interests can be satisfied during this year’s Birmingham House Tour.

“We like to look for as much variety as possible,” Community House Foundation Event Coordinator Lindsey Brenz said.

The tour is self-guided, so participants can explore at their own pace.

While touring the chosen homes, participants will have the opportunity to interact with knowledgeable docents who can provide interesting information about the homes.

Oftentimes, homeowners enlist several different professionals to do work on their home, such as an interior designer. The Community House gives vendors who have worked in the home the opportunity to be in the home during the tour to meet with the guests.

Not only is this a sponsorship opportunity for the vendors, but it allows the community to learn more about the details of the house and connect with experienced vendors in the area.

Each guest will receive a program book with information about each house. Some vendors advertise in this program, providing a resource for guests to keep.

“We like to look at it as like an inspiration,” Brenz said. “It’s fun and a great opportunity to connect. But then it’s also kind of educational in that sense.”

Guests are invited to take a break during their tour for a buffet lunch prepared by The Community House’s corporate executive chef. Participants have the opportunity to just pay for the tour, or they can pay for the tour and lunch.

Tickets for the Birmingham House Tour can be purchased by calling (248) 644-5832 or visiting communityhouse.com.