A program at the Irvin Young Memorial Library in Whitewater this Thursday will feature historical detail, and walking tours of the 1856 Smith Allen House and the 1860 J.J. Starin House.
The program “Hello Building, How Old Are You?” will start in the library’s community room at 3:30 p.m. and last until approximately 4:30 p.m. City Landmarks commissioners and the youth educational services librarian are co-hosting the event.
Focusing on the 1856 Smith Allen House and the 1860 J.J. Starin House, the program includes a short walking tour to investigate their design features, building materials and scale. This prepares attendees to create their own clay model back at the library. Using the learning sequence of awareness-creates-knowledge-creates-protection, and some concrete comparisons between humans and buildings, attendees will look at and care about our local landmarks in new ways as a result of this program. Related coloring activities, as well as word search and crossword puzzle activities, will also be available.
Families of all ages are invited to take the guided walking tour to view the exteriors of the two old neighborhood buildings. Travel will be led by library staff and landmarks volunteers, along Church Street to the southeast corner of Franklin and Main streets. The tour will not cross Franklin Street or Main Street. Families may choose to remain at the library to participate in the related activities and not participate in the guided walking tour, as they wish.
The Smith Allen House, located across Church Street from the library at 445 W. Center Street, has been a local landmark since 1983. It was built in 1856, making it one of the oldest surviving residences in Whitewater. This Italianate-style house was built with cream brick and features a tower, wide eaves with brackets, tall narrow windows, and some round-arched windows and doors.
The J.J. Starin House, known today as the Mercy Healthcare Clinic, is located at 507 W. Main Street. It has been a local landmark since 1985. It was built in 1860. This Greek Revival style house was also built with cream brick and features several Italianate architectural details. These include wide eaves with double brackets. The large two-story front porch with the tall pillars was added in the 1920s when the building became known as The Green Shutters Restaurant and Tea Room.
For additional info about the program, please contact Deana Rolfsmeyer, Youth Educational Services Librarian at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, by sending email to drolfsmeyer@whitewater-wi.gov, by calling (262) 473-0530, or by visiting the library’s website at www.whitewaterlibrary.org.
The library is at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater.
