The Stuart Historic Homes Tour
Tour historic homes, get a taste of historic living, and learn about the historic districts of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
 |
The Stuart Historic Neighborhood Association (SHNA), founded in 1973, is proud & excited to invite you to our Stuart Historic Homes Tour!
​Step back into the 1890’s and experience Victorian Kalamazoo as you enter historic homes maintaining the finest example of Gilded Age architecture. From early Italianate to the embellished Queen Anne style, the residences of Stuart will reflect not only the prosperity of the past, but also the preservation of the present.
Saturday & Sunday
-
October 4 & 5, 2025
-
12:00 - 5:00 pm
each day
As one of the earliest suburbs of Kalamazoo, The Stuart Historic Neighborhood became home to Kalamazoo’s biggest names as early as 1854. Charles Stuart, eminent politician & Senator, became one of the earliest to call the neighborhood his home. Residing in his Italian Villa, still situated on Stuart Avenue, Stuart began to sell plots of land to other merchants and businessmen for the building of their estates. By the late 1890s, the Stuart Neighborhood was well populated, and proved to be highly desirable suburb.
Today, the Stuart Historic Neighborhood contains a variety of residences as well as public buildings. Many larger homes - ones that are no longer single family, are either operating as multifamily dwellings, or being converted back to their original floor plans. Our neighborhood also is home to Woodward Elementary School and various churches.
SHNA continues to promote & encourage historic preservation and help make our neighborhood a safe and enjoyable place to call home. The Historic Homes Tour is an event that has demonstrated this commitment for five decades to the neighborhood, the city of Kalamazoo, and visitors from all around. Learn more about the fascinating history of this iconic Kalamazoo event.
SHNA is looking forward to the Historic Homes Tour in 2025 where there will be experiences that build off of what has been done in the past, as well as, some new ones for all to enjoy.
In 2025, tour attendees will experience:
​
-
Tour the interior of historic residences
-
Tour the interior of historic Bed & Breakfasts
-
Tour the interior of the historic Woodward Elementary School
-
Tour of Kalamazoo's oldest operating burial ground to visit gravesites of the first residents of Stuart
-
Exterior only stops to get an up close look of the architectural details on the outside of historic homes
-
Music stops with live bands playing on the porches of historic homes
-
Restaurants stops to enjoy the best food and drinks in and around the neighborhood
-
Antique & Retail Shop stops to find your own historic treasures and unique finds from Kalamazoo
-
Other historic sites in and around the neighborhood.
We hope you will join us for the 2025 Historic Homes Tour!
Tour Booklet Digital Version
(Coming Soon!)
Tour attendees will receive a printed version of the tour booklet when they check-in to the Tour Headquarters.
Tour Headquarters
The Tour Headquarters located at Woodward Elementary School is the official starting location for the Stuart Historic Homes Tour.
​
​​​​​
The rich history and distinctive architectural style of Woodward Elementary School makes this the ideal location for the Tour Headquarters. Click on the photograph of school to read historical description of Woodward Elementary School.
Tour attendees must check-in at Woodward Elementary School to begin the homes tour. Tour attendees are welcome to check-in anytime between the hours of 12:00 - 5:00 pm on either day of the tour. This is an open house style event. ​​​​​
Woodward Elementary School​
Photo by William Dolak
Tour Homes
Homeowners and innkeepers of eight historic homes and Bed & Breakfasts located in the Stuart Historic Neighborhood and the South Street Historic District will be welcoming tour attendees into their homes for private tours. Click on the photographs below to read historical descriptions on each of the tour homes. ​​​​
The Chappell-Stewart House
Stuart Historic Neighborhood
Photo by William Dolak
The French Allen House
Stuart Historic Neighborhood
Photo by William Dolak
The Stuart Mansion
Stuart Historic Neighborhood
Photo by William Dolak
The Kate Austin House
Stuart Historic Neighborhood
Photo by William Dolak
The Arthur L. Pratt House
Stuart Historic Neighborhood
Photo by William Dolak
The Loveland-Curtenius House
Stuart Historic Neighborhood
Photo by William Dolak
Photo by William Dolak
The Bolender-Todd House
Stuart Historic Neighborhood
The Kalamazoo House Bed & Breakfast
The David Lilienfeld House​
South Street Historic District
Photo by William Dolak
Ticket Information
Early Bird Tickets = $25 (purchased by October 3rd)
​
General Tickets = $30 (purchased on October 4 - 5th)
​Tickets are valid for both days of the tour.​​​​​
SHNA is using the Eventbrite platform to sell tickets online for this event. Click here or press the button to purchase your tickets online today. Tour attendees will be able to purchase tickets with cash or check on the day of the event at the Tour Headquarters.
SHNA is a nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) and all funds raised by ticket sales for this event will be used to support the goals and projects outlined in the Imagine Stuart Neighborhood Plan.
"Extra" Tour Stops
In addition to taking private tours of homes, tour attendees will be able to experience "extra" tour stops sprinkled throughout the Stuart Historic Neighborhood and other neighborhoods in Kalamazoo. ​​​​​​​​​​​​
Exterior Only Stops
Take a closer look at the exterior (outside only) of selected historic homes and buildings. Tour attendees are welcomed to walk up to and/or around the outside of these homes and buildings. A great opportunity for tour attendees to view the exterior, architectural details and possibly talk with the homeowners.
Cemetery Stops
Walk the tree covered slopes of Kalamazoo's oldest operating burial ground. Mountain Home Cemetery is the final resting place of some of the first residents and prominent citizens of Kalamazoo. Visit the gravesites of these individuals and learn about how they shaped Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Music Stops
Enjoy live music being played on the porches and patios of historic homes.
Restaurant Stops
Grab drinks and a bite to eat at the best local restaurants in Kalamazoo. Participating restaurants are official partners of the Stuart Historic Homes Tour.
Antique & Retail Shop Stops
Inspired by the all the character and intricate details of the historic homes. Shop for your own antiques, salvaged architectural items, and other unique finds at local stores. Participating stores are official partners of the Stuart Historic Homes Tour.
The locations and details of the "Extra" Tour Stops will be included in the tour booklet.
Please note that the business hours of the restaurant and shop stops will be noted in the tour booklet. Many of the restaurants and shops will be open before and/or after the scheduled time of the Historic Homes Tour.
Navigating the Tour
The Tour Headquarters located at Woodward Elementary School is the official starting location of the Stuart Historic Homes Tour. All tour attendees must check-in at Woodward Elementary School to begin the homes tour.​
​​
Tour attendees are welcome to check-in at Woodward Elementary School anytime between the hours of 12:00 - 5:00 pm on both days of the tour. This is an open house style event.
​
At check-in, tour attendees will receive a tour booklet that will be used as the required entry pass into the tour homes. The tour booklet will also provide tour attendees with all the information they need to navigate and enjoy the tour, including a map of the tour, historical information about the tour homes, and much more.
​​​​​
After checking in at the Tour Headquarters, tour attendees are then able to choose how they want to experience the homes tour. Tour attendees have both days to visit the tour homes and the "extra" tour stops in the order and pace that feels right to them and works with their schedule.
​​​​
Google Map of Historic Homes Tour
Printable Map of Historic Homes Tour
A complimentary tour bus will be available to transport tour attendees around the tour route. The tour bus will start and end at the Tour Headquarters and make a continuous loop every 30 minutes between 12:00 - 5:00 on both days of the event.
​
​​
​
​
​
​
Tour attendees will need to plan to walk and/or drive on their own to all other tour stops.
Parking
Tour Map with Suggested Street Parking
We recommend that you look for street parking on six streets that are walking distance from the Tour Headquarters, including Forbes Ave, Jefferson Ave, Douglas Ave, Woodward Ave, Ransom St. and Willard St. These streets are marked on the map below. Please pay close attention to the street signs as there are sections on these streets that have restricted parking.
Do not street park on Stuart Ave, Elm St, or North Ave, due to tour stops, bus route, and traffic. There are many one-way streets in the Stuart Historic Neighborhood. Please be safe and take your time as you navigate the streets to find a place to park.
Parking at the Tour Headquarters
​Limited parking spaces (47 spaces) will be available for tour attendees to utilize in the parking lot at Woodward Elementary School for a suggested donation of $5 to support Woodward Elementary School. Vehicles can enter and exit the parking lot from Woodward Avenue. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​Parking Along the Tour Route
Tour attendees who plan on driving the tour route will be able to utilize free street parking for some of the main tour stops. Parking availability will be dependent on the number of tour attendees.
In general, pay close attention to any posted signs regarding meter parking, restricted parking, or prohibited parking.
.png)
Volunteers
The Stuart Historic Neighborhood Association (SHNA) is looking for interested residents, high school students, and college students to volunteer on the weekend of the homes tour.
​​
Volunteers will be needed at the Tour Headquarters, Tour Homes, and "Extra" Tour Stops to help welcome tour attendees, check-in tour attendees, distribute tour booklets, and direct traffic through tour homes.
​
Volunteers who are able to commit to 3 hours of work will receive a FREE tour ticket.
History of the Historic Homes Tour
The Historic Homes Tour has been an iconic Kalamazoo event for decades with the first homes tour occurring back in 1978. Over the years there has been 154 residences, buildings, and other sites participate in the event. Find out what Kalamazoo neighborhood has had the most properties participate and more.
Request for Tour Homes
Homeowners who are interested in having their homes be a part of the Stuart Historic Homes Tour can fill out the Request for Tour Homes Application.
​
This is a rolling application process with SHNA continuously accepting and reviewing applications.
What are the expectations of homeowners who participate in the homes tour?
​Click here to view the What to Expect Guide. This guide provides homeowners with a general overview of what to expect before, during, and after the Stuart Historic Homes Tour.
Does the historic home need to be within the boundaries of the Stuart Historic Neighborhood to be a part of the homes tour?
​While the majority of the tour homes will be in the Stuart Historic Neighborhood, homeowners of historic homes throughout Kalamazoo are highly encouraged to apply. There are so many beautiful historic homes along South St. and in the Vine, West Main Hill, and Winchell neighborhoods that we would love to showcase on the homes tour.
All homeowners of historic homes across Kalamazoo should consider being a part of the homes tour!