2007 marks the sixth year of the Historical Walk-Abouts program presented by River District Association.  The first walk-about is a self-guided tour of inside spaces used for commercial purposes and is called, "Commercial Renovation Tour".  Historical Walk-Abouts are sponsored by WTVO and WQRF FOX39.

This year's schedule will include three FREE tours and two ADMISSION CHARGED tours. 

May 19, Commercial Renovation Tour:  11 am - 4 pm; $12 advance, $15 at door.  Take a self-guided tour of 10 different commercial buildings and homes that have been renovated to accommodate commercial uses such as graphic design, advertising, architectural, museum, and service business offices.  There are also unfinished and ready to move into spaces on the site list. Start your self-guided tour and purchase tickets the day of the event at Trekk Cross-Media, 134 N. Main St. or Gary W. Anderson Architects, 333 E. State St. (rear entrance, Spafford Building).  Walk or drive to each tour site.  Additional sites on the tour include: 

1001 E. Jefferson St., Belles Firm of Architecture

907 E. State St., ginestrawatson agency

510 E. State St., MedicineMan, Inc. (enter through Digits)

122 N. Second St., Norstar Heating & Cooling

220 E. State St., East Side Center

737 N. Main St.,  Burpee Museum Barnes Mansion

504 N. Church St., SaavedraGehlhausen Architects

301 S. Main St., Former Hanley Furniture Building

FREE Historical Walk-Abouts Series:

Walk around some of River District's residential neighborhoods with a volunteer tour guide for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning and enjoy the outdoors, hear about the history of the area, and see some really beautiful architecture of homes, churches, and even a few commercial buildings. 

June 16 is the Prairie Hill Neighborhood Tour
(FREE, meet at St. James Church auxiliary parking lot, corner of N. First St. and Prairie St., 10 am)

July 21 is the Haight Village Tour (FREE, meet at Ingersoll Centennial Park, corner of S. Madison St. and Oak St., 10 am),

August 18 is Indian Terrace and Beattie Park Tour
(FREE, meet at Beattie Park Informational Circle, corner of N. Main St., and Park Ave. 10 am),

September 8, Urban Living Tour:  11 am - 4 pm; $12 adv, $15 at door.  Take a self-guided tour of several residential spaces that include modern and historical buildings.  Walk or drive to each site.  At this time start locations, a full site list, and pre-event ticket sales locations are tba.  Closer to the event date call the River District office or visit the calendar of events page on the River District website for the updated list.

Advance tickets will be on sale in the River District office and some downtown businesses to be announced.  River District accepts cash, check, VISA or MasterCard for payment.

River District Association
127 N. Wyman St., 2nd Floor
PO Box 4331
Rockford, IL 61110
www.riverdistrict.com